Nikki Patel leaving Coronation Street

Actress Nikki Patel is leaving ITV soap Coronation Street once more.

The actress will bow out as Amber Kalirai next month after a series of clashes with her step-mother Sunita (Shobna Gulati). Patel reprised her role of Amber, daughter of Corner Shop owner Dev (Jimmi Harkishin), late last year.

Amber returned from University to life with her father Dev and a none-too-pleased Sunita. The character then became involved in a lesbian love triangle with Sophie Webster (Brooke Vincent) and Sian Powers (Sacha Parkinson) which eventually led to the break-up of the popular couple.

“Nikki’s part in the love triangle was a huge success, but the producers feel that the character has run her course. Nikki is a professional and she understands, although of course she is disappointed,” – A “source” quoted in The People

Nikki Patel originally joined the cast of Coronation Street in 2005; introduced as a secret love child that Dev had kept hidden from Sunita. Amber moved in with Dev when her mother relocated to Finland. Patel remained with Corrie until 2009 when the character was written out, leaving to go to university.

News of Patel’s exit from the soap has met with a mixed reaction with some viewers critical of the way the character has been written for since her return. Other viewers felt Amber had more potential but was being written out without a fair chance to develop.