Coronation Street viewers were left furious on Wednesday night after singer Gareth Gates revealed a character's death before it aired on screen. The 34-year-old Pop Idol star, who is engaged to actress Faye Brooks, posted on Instagram during the ad break to praise his fiancée and confirm that actress Bhavna Limbachia was leaving the soap.
In Wednesday's emotional episode, bride-to-be Rana Habeeb, played by Limbachia, was crushed in the Underworld factory roof collapse after returning to retrieve her wedding rings. The character died in the arms of her fiancée Kate Connor just before 9pm. However, Gates posted at 8.42pm: 'So proud of my lady @faye_brookes in @coronationstreet - such amazing TRUE acting. Sad to lose the beautiful and incredibly talented @bhavnalimbachia.'
Fans quickly reacted with anger, with one writing: 'B****y hell spoiler,' and another adding: 'Oh god, you've just given it away.' A fourth raged: 'You have just ruined it!!!' One viewer predicted: 'Oh Gareth, you are gonna get some stick for this!!!!'
Despite the spoiler, many praised the heart-wrenching scenes. One fan tweeted: 'Coronation Street has me in tears. I've never cried at a soap before but this has really hit me.' Another wrote: 'Coronation Street got me emotional as hell.'
Rana's death came as a shock to many, though Limbachia had previously confirmed she was leaving the soap. In the episode, Rana made a desperate phone call to Kate after becoming trapped under rubble. Paramedics reached her, but doctor Ali warned Kate she might not survive. The couple exchanged wedding vows and rings before Rana passed away.
Following the episode, Limbachia posted a tribute on Twitter, thanking fans for their support during her three-year stint on the soap.
