As Peter Barlow departs Weatherfield for a vacation from the cobblestones and the drama, Coronation Street viewers have been getting ready for tonight’s episode for the past few weeks.
As Peter Barlow (played by Chris Gascoyne) bid farewell to his house, wife Carla Connor (Alison King), and his family tonight, Coronation Street viewers were moved to tears. Carla recently learned that Peter felt as though he had lost all meaning in life and had no idea what he was doing with it.
Carla tried everything to save their marriage and even considered ending it, but Peter told her he felt he should be more than just her spouse. In addition, Peter has been finding it difficult to accept that he killed Todd Boyce’s character, Stephen Reid, and felt that his second opportunity at life following a liver transplant was a waste.
In tonight’s episode, Peter bitterly said goodbye to his friends and departed Weatherfield for a while in order to work on a skipper boat and tour the world.
Peter was first upset that Carla would “send him packing” with Daniel Osbourne (Rob Mallard) because he believed they were taking a year off from their relationship. Peter had received the ticket from Carla as a Christmas present.
Peter stormed back home, telling his wife they should go for a walk around the cobblestones because their argument was becoming too much.
Along the way, he made several stops at locations associated with both positive and negative memories, some of which were related to his alcoholism and Carla’s battle with psychosis.
He found Carla on the couch when he got home, and he started telling her how he was feeling and what she meant to him.
“Regardless of what you or anyone else may think, I have accomplished things with my life, traveled the world, taken chances, and faced death head-on.
“Please understand that when I say I want to stay, it’s not out of fear. No one has ever surprised me the way you do, or understood me the way you do.
“You feel at ease with who you are. What astounds me is that you grow more gorgeous with each passing year. Be more of yourself. How could I avoid this, and how could you expect me to?
“Of all the people I have dated, you are the only one who has never made an effort to alter who I am.
“You make me feel full. I’m fleeing. I have a son and a father who is not getting any younger, so it is selfish.”
Later, when Peter was prepared to leave and had accepted his departure, he was met by his family, who were excited to bid him farewell.
“Oh come on, make it 10 times harder for me, why don’t you?” Peter turned to face Carla. before extending a simple handshake and hug to Adam Barlow (Sam Robertson) and Daniel Osbourne (Rob Mallard).
“I hate you, d’you know that?” joked his sister Tracy Barlow (Kate Ford), to which Peter retorted, “Hate you more.”
Carla told him as they were making their way to the tram stop, “I love you, Peter, but aren’t we lucky! Not everyone experiences even a small amount of this. It is the proper course of action.”
She sent him off with a final kiss before turning around and walking down the street, leaving him out of sight as he walked inside.
Heartbroken by their tearful farewell, soap opera viewers took to their X accounts—formerly known as Twitter—to talk about it.
Jake revealed: “Amazing actor & lovely guy. I will miss him on the cobbles! He’ll definitely return eventually.”
“I’ll miss Peter,” Lisa continued. Since Chris is a talented actor, maybe we’ll see him soon on screen or on stage.”
A third person commented, “Aww, I’m so devastated. Naturally, I started crying.” You’ve done an amazing job.”
A fourth line was written: “It’s devastating not a dry eye in my house, corrie won’t be the same without Peter.”
