Catherine Tyldesley will spend her final Christmas on ‘Coronation Street’ dressed as a sexy "reindeer".
The 34-year-old actress is leaving the ITV soap after six years in the role of bolshie barmaid Eva Price, and has teased the raunchy costume that she has dubbed "illegal", which she turns up to a children’s school play dressed in, will certainly set a few pulses racing over the festive season.
And the blonde beauty can’t wait for viewers to see vicar Billy Mayhew’s [Daniel Brocklebank] face when he sees her turn up in the provocative outfit.
She told the Daily Star newspaper: "It’s so illegal! It’s a children’s nativity at a community centre, and I felt bad actually wearing that outfit in front of children!
"There’s nothing fluffy about it – it’s a bondage-y reindeer!
"But it’s very funny – that’s the comic relief at Christmas.
"It’s great with vicar Billy’s reaction because he’s like: ‘Oh my God, this is for the kids and this is very Ann Summers.’"
Eva will be involved in a fling with Adam Barlow [Sam Robertson] in coming weeks, a light-hearted break from the hideous storyline involving monster murderer Pat Phelan [Connor McIntyre].
Catherine decided to bow out of the show in order to pursue other acting roles, but fans don’t have to shed a tear just yet as her departure won’t air until next summer.
She said previously: "’Coronation Street’ has been a dream job for me which is why this was such a difficult decision to leave.
"Eva has been such fun to play over the last seven years, and who knows, one day she might storm the cobbles of Weatherfield again. In the meantime I’m excited about the future, new acting projects, and spending time with my family."
It’s not yet known how she will leave the programme, but it’s believed she and bosses have already decided how they want the ending to pan out.
A spokesperson for the show said: "We can confirm that Cath Tyldesley will leave ‘Coronation Street’ at the end of her current contract next year after seven years in the show. Cath’s portrayal of Eva Price has made her a firm favourite amongst fans and she will be missed. The producers and writers are currently working on her exit storyline which be on screen in early summer."