A major Coronation Street couple called it quits in tonight’s episode as one character announced their departure from the cobbles for good.

Tracy Barlow (Kate Ford) got a pleasant surprise when partner Tommy Orpington (Matt Milburn) came to meet her in the Rovers, but the conversation soon took a downward turn.

Tommy and Tracy’s relationship began while she was still with Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson).

When their affair was exposed, Steve was horrified, left devastated by the betrayal of not only his wife, but the man he considered to be his idol.

In tonight’s episode, former professional footballer Tommy announced that he had been offered a coaching job in Southampton, much to Tracy’s horror.

She was quick to argue that she didn’t want to move across the country without her family, having already tried living over seas with Tommy.

When Tommy suggested regular visits home, Tracy asked why he couldn’t find a coaching job more locally.

As Tommy explained that his knee injury had limited his options, Tracy suggested a job that didn’t involve football, much to Tommy’s disgust.

When he pointed out how much the game means to him, Tracy forced him to choose between it and her.

It was then that Tommy dropped the bombshell that he’d already accepted the job and hadn’t renewed the lease on their flat, believing that Tracy would have come with him.

However, furious Tracy made it clear that wasn’t going to happen, calling an end to their relationship once and for all.

‘I think Tommy would have been the one, but I think he’s just so obsessed with football that she never came first,’ actress Kate Ford said.

‘I think if he’d have had a different mindset, she would have been so happy with him, but he’s just obsessed with football and she can’t compete with that.

‘I think out of all her relationships she really wanted this one to work the most.’