Coronation Street veteran Sue Cleaver has announced her departure from the ITV soap after 25 years of playing the straight-talking Eileen Grimshaw.
The 61-year-old actress will remain on screens until late spring 2025, when her exit storyline is set to air.
Cleaver, who has been a staple on the cobbles since 2000, revealed her decision to leave just days into the New Year.
The announcement follows her recent stint away from the soap last summer when she took an extended break to star in the theatre production of Sister Act.
Speaking about her departure, Cleaver told The Sun on Sunday: “I’ve had 25 privileged years of working on Coronation Street.”
“The door is still firmly open but as I reached my 60th year, I decided it was time to embrace change, look for new adventures and live fearlessly,” she added.
Sue Clever has played Eileen Grimshaw for 24 years
ITV
An insider revealed that while Cleaver has “adored” her time on the show, she feels ready to pursue fresh projects.
The source noted that early discussions about her departure have given writers sufficient time to craft a compelling exit storyline that viewers can look forward to.
Fans of the long-running soap can take comfort in knowing that Eileen won’t be written out permanently, leaving the door open for potential future returns to Weatherfield.
Coronation Street producer Kate Brooks shared: “We’re sad to bid farewell to the wonderful Sue Cleaver.”
The actress has claimed the departure is to pursue new things but the door will be left open for a return
ITV
“Over the past twenty-five years, Eileen Grimshaw has been at the heart of some of the most memorable and iconic Corrie storylines, and her onscreen rivalry with Gail Platt will undoubtedly go down in Corrie folklore,” Brooks added.
“There’s certainly no one quite like Eileen, and her character will be hugely missed on the cobbles.”
Cleaver’s exit follows another recent departure from the cobbles, as Helen Worth’s character Gail Platt left on Christmas Day after 50 years on the show.
Speaking on Loose Women about Worth’s departure, Cleaver said: “Helen leaving, I can’t tell you it’s really awful, it’s really sad. We are all devastated. I mean she has deserved it, I mean 50 years is extraordinary isn’t it.”
She praised her former co-star, adding: “One thing I tell you is, she is the most generous, empathetic, humble human being you will ever meet, and everybody loves her.”
Worth’s character Gail departed for a new life in France after marrying Jesse Chadwick.
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The actress has been involved in some iconic storylines
ITV
Executive producer Iain MacLeod told the Daily Star newspaper’s Hot TV column: “Helen and I have had a conversation where she said, ‘There might be times in my future where I’ll come back’.
“If there’s a big storyline going on with the Platt family, she might want to come in and play a role in that. We certainly wanted to leave the door open so that was possible. We wanted that to still be on the cards.”