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Samia Longchambon ‘signs new Coronation Street contract’

Samia Longchambon has signed a new ‘Coronation Street’ deal.
The 33-year-old actress – who has played Maria Connor since 2000 – is said to have put pen to paper on a contract to keep her on the ITV soap until next year.
An insider told The Sun Online: "Samia has just signed a new deal to keep her on the cobbles until 2020.
"Bosses were determined not to lose another major cast member.
"We’re sure viewers will also be pleased to hear that Samia will be sticking around for the foreseeable future."
Samia’s new deal comes just weeks after Daniel Brocklebank (Billy Mayhew) and Melanie Hill (Cathy Matthews) signed new cobbles contracts.
He said: "I just signed another contract so I will be definitely sticking around for at least another 12 months, yes."
Melanie added: "I’ve just signed another contract and I’m very happy there."
This comes after a number of ‘Corrie’ stars announced within a few weeks of each other that they are leaving the soap.
Kym Marsh (Michelle Connor) and her on-screen partner Tristan Gemmill (Robert Preston) are both due to depart Weatherfield, as are Faye Brookes (Kate Connor) and Lucy Fallon (Bethany Platt).
Lucy previously admitted she would love it if Bethany headed back to Italy, where she spent half of her life.
She said: "If it was up to me she would leave in a really nice way, just going to Italy or something. Smiling and happy, no bad things happening. But we’ll see …"
Bhavna Limbachia (Rana Habeeb) announced her departure back in January, and her character was killed off when the Underworld factory roof collapsed on top of her on her and Kate’s wedding day in March.