Billy Mayhew’s departure was officially confirmed when Daniel Brocklebank finished filming his final scene after more than a decade on Coronation Street.

But what left viewers “frozen” was not the news of Billy’s departure, but the way the character was sent off – a scene that was kept secret but has been described as “painful but beautiful”, “warm but cold”, and “enough to make Weatherfield silent for a few seconds”.

Coronation Street has always known how to make viewers’ hearts pound every time a classic character leaves.

But Billy is more special. He is not only a priest, but also a “soft soul” amidst the drama that breaks down.

Viewers have witnessed Billy fall apart, get up, fall apart again, and get up again many times. So the decision to let him go has sent emotions spiraling towards Summer Spellman – Billy’s brainchild, who is most affected and possibly the “heartbreaking highlight” of this exit storyline.

Behind-the-scenes sources say the final scene was filmed late at night, without an audience, without leaks. But Daniel Brocklebank posted a status like someone who has just finished a real life journey: “I don’t think I’ll say goodbye that easily.” That makes fans believe that Billy can leave with a gentle ending rather than a tragedy. However, with the tradition of Corrie, “gentle” does not necessarily mean no twist.

Predictions for Billy’s exit storyline are divided into two directions. One: Billy decides to leave Weatherfield to find himself, especially after the shocks from Paul Foreman and the spiral of guilt that Todd Grimshaw created. Two: a major event occurs – possibly involving Summer – that causes Billy to sacrifice something or make an irreversible decision.