Samia Smith grieves loss of father

Coronation Street actress Samia Smith has taken a leave of absence following the death of her father.

The 26-year-old, who plays Weatherfield's pregnant hairdresser Maria Connor, was reportedly close to dad Joseph.

With Maria currently a central character to the ITV soap's storylines, filming schedules for the show have had to be re-jigged at the last-minute.

A Corrie spokesperson said: "Our thoughts are with Samia and her family at this sad time."

At the end of last year, Smith appeared on a celebrity edition of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

The death of Samia's father is the latest tragedy among the cast and crew of Coronation Street.

In February, William Roache's (Ken Barlow) wife Sara died suddenly of a suspected heart attack.

Just days later, Kym Marsh (Michelle Connor) and partner Jamie Lomas - Hollyoaks' Warren Fox - announced the loss of her premature baby.