Coronation Street star Sue Cleaver shares update on 'misunderstood' health battle as she admits to feeling 'faint while filming' after bidding farewell to the ITV soap after 25 years
The soap star, 61, known for playing Eileen Grimshaw since 2000, said goodbye to Weatherfield in an episode that aired earlier this month.
But behind the cameras, the actress has been battling Type 2 diabetes for over 20 years, which at times caused her to feel faint while filming.
Sue now credits the use of a continuous glucose monitor called Dexcom with helping her take back control of her health.
In a new interview with The Sun, she said: 'I think there is a lot of misunderstanding around diabetes, people tell you can't eat chocolate or sugar - but where I struggle with my diabetes is when I'm about to go on stage or when I'm about to go on Loose Women or live shows.
'Before I go on I'd have to prick my finger and check if my sugar is stable enough to get me to the interval or do I need to eat.'
Sue confessed that there were moments on set when she felt 'faint' during filming.
She explained: 'If I'm about to go on stage or live shows and I don't know if I'm going to make it if my sugars aren't stable enough, and I don't have time to prick my finger, you tend to think 'let me eat this thing now' and then you tend to feel the effects of it later or the middle of the show.'
It comes after Sue insisted that her 'body doesn't define her' as she opened up about her incredible three stone weight loss.
The star also admitted she was still learning to battle 'negative thoughts' about her appearance after embracing a healthier lifestyle and regular work outs.
Last year, she told Bella: 'My body is now who I am. My body will change, my size will go up and down and I don't define myself or get involved in any of those conversations around it'.
'What's more important is to do the work on the inside. I'm changing how I live, doing things differently, thats that I thought I didn't like, and changing myself'.
Sue continued: 'The trouble is when you've got negative thoughts you hang onto them. So it's learning not to take those thoughts so seriously.
In March 2024, Sue discussed her weight loss after participating in Dry January the year before (no alcohol for the month).
She said: 'I lost 18lb [in 2022's I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here]. I'd already lost a stone and a half that year, because I gave up booze. I did Dry January and then I decided to carry on.
'I know it sounds ridiculous at my age, but I never really thought about how many calories I was consuming when I was having a glass of red wine while cooking dinner and then a couple more while eating it.
'If you're doing that four or five nights a week, that's a lot of calories.'
Last year Sue revealed that since entering her 60s she feels that the world is now her 'oyster after years of alcohol dependency.
Telling Prima: 'There are so many people my age who I speak to that are depressed about reaching 60. You feel like this is the end of the line, that everything goes down from here. And I absolutely don't feel that way.
'I just feel like the world really is my oyster now, and there's so much available out there. There's so much that you can do.'
She also revealed in the candid interview how her reliance on alcohol has lessened as she gets older, explaining: 'I don't have any fear around alcohol any more, and that is really freeing.'
'I never imagined getting to that state. I thought I had a dependency. I thought I couldn't get by without having a glass of wine at night.'
'I thought life wouldn't be great without a glass of wine. It would be absolutely great without wine. I just thought it wouldn't. It's the thinking around it that is the problem.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
21 minutes ago
- BBC News
Derby allotment turns 130 with 'rude veg' competition
Derby's first ever allotment is celebrating its 130th birthday with a "rudest vegetable competition".Firs Estate Allotments, based in Dean Street, was founded in 1895 and the seven-acre site is home to a community of more than 100 keen gardeners spread across 50 open day on Saturday is part of National Allotments Week and a number of events will take place on the Dr Alex Rock, told the BBC: "We love opening our doors and we love people just wandering around and falling in love with this green lung in the city." The site still has the Victorian-style allotment layout and boasts a set of World War Two shelters and barrage balloon couplings which were designed to hide Derby from German bombers. Dr Rock said the allotment had an "absolutely incredible year" for fruit such as damsons and apples and people turning up to the open day will be able to see a wide range of methods and items grown on each plot from potatoes to tromboncino, a type of squash used in "rudest vegetable competition" is where the tromboncino will take centre stage, often taking a humorous form when left to grow out. Allotment holders have been nurturing their entries since April."They are rude looking vegetables," Dr Rock added."We'll be judging the rudest tromboncino at the open day so people will be invited along to pick their favourite."You can judge it by length, weight and even girth. It's the people's choice." Dr Rock said the benefits of working on an allotment were huge and urged people to get involved."It's an escape and when you go through those gates it's a little bit of paradise... you really don't feel like you're in a city," he said."It allows you stop and reflect, get the soil in your hands and really get stuck in to connect with growing fruit and vegetables."Other activities include tool sharpening sessions, a guided meditation on the wildlife plot, a history tour, a barbeque, wine tasting sessions and live allotment is open to the public between 11:00 BST and 16:00.
BBC News
21 minutes ago
- BBC News
'Magical' event for Bridgwater boy, four, with rare condition
The mother of a four-year-old boy with a rare genetic disorder has described her shock at the community response to an event designed to make him feel "special". Motorbikes, fire engines, police cars and tractors are among the vehicles set to take part in a drive past for Louie, from Bridgwater, later. He is just one of 100 people diagnosed with XIAP deficiency, which can cause a number of complications including an increased risk of developing infections. His mum Shannon, 29, has organised the event ahead of her family having to isolate in preparation for Louie's second bone marrow transplant this autumn. "Never in a million years did I think it would go this crazy, but it just goes to show [there are] strangers all pulling together to make little boys' day," she said. XIAP deficiency largely affects males due to the genetic mutation affecting the X chromosome and Louie was just four months old when he began to display symptoms of the condition, including a was initially suspected that he had cancer after he was blue-lighted to Bristol Children's Hospital from Musgrove Park in Taunton, Somerset. But after extensive investigations, specialists diagnosed him with the rare genetic condition and he was transferred to the care of Great Ormond Street Hospital in London. It was there that he underwent his first bone marrow transplant in August 2023 which, Shannon said, "didn't go very well" and led to Louie developing a brain infection."He lost all mobility, all speech," she said. "He had to relearn to walk, talk - everything again. He's still delayed globally and he struggles with speech now." Louie faces another bone marrow transplant in October - this time with an increased risk of a similar infection despite being closely monitored. "We've got to keep Louis [isolated] throughout September [...] because obviously they don't want him to go in with any type of infection on board," Shannon this in mind, around three weeks ago she said she had the "wild idea" of setting up a "ride-in" event for Louie and his two older brothers Oscar, 12, and Jenson, eight, whose childhoods have been heavily impacted by what Louie has been through. "I wanted to do something special for all three boys because they've all had a tough ride the past few years and they all know what's to come in October," Shannon said. "With Louis obviously being immune compromised we can't really do much as a family," she added. "He's not allowed to go to busy [places] like theme parks, soft plays, literally anything. "He's mainly been around like family kids and family so just for the two older boys [...] just to have that special day and just to feel a bit normal maybe, to have a bit of a childhood and just included - I think it will just be magical for them all." Vehicles of all sizes and shapes, from classic cars to diggers, have been invited to take part in the event, which will set off from Morganians Rugby Club, along the Kingsdown Estate and finishing at Stogursey Village Hall. With hundreds of people sharing her Facebook post and offers of attendance from the fire service and police, Shannon said the response "means everything". "I'm definitely going to be overwhelmed with emotions and the kindness of people," she added.
Western Telegraph
23 minutes ago
- Western Telegraph
Mounjaro prices double as weight loss jab popularity soars
US-based Eli Lilly says a 5mg dose will nearly double from £92 to £180 from September 1, while a 15mg pen will rise from £122 to £330. A Lilly spokesperson said: 'Following a review, Lilly will increase the UK list price for Mounjaro (tirzepatide) from 1 September to address pricing inconsistencies compared to other developed countries, including in Europe. We have reached an agreement with the NHS to ensure continued supply and patient access." The statement continues: 'While Lilly does not determine the prices that private healthcare providers set, we are working with them to maintain patient access. The UK was one of the first countries where Lilly launched Mounjaro, and our priority was to bring it to patients as quickly as possible during a time of limited supply of GLP-1 RA treatments for type 2 diabetes. 'At launch, Lilly agreed to a UK list price that is significantly below the European average to prevent delays in NHS availability." More than 1.5 million people in the UK are believed to be using weight-loss medication each month, with most buying the jabs from private pharmacies. Mounjaro users report surprising side effect - pharmacists share their tips — Bucks Free Press (@bucksfreepress) August 8, 2025 This comes as the Government has joined forces with Eli Lilly in a bid to tackle obesity. The move could see patients accessing care at pharmacies or by using online platforms. The £85 million programme from Eli Lilly and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has been designed to look at how obese patients can access weight management care more easily. This includes through community services, in pharmacies and online. Using these tools, eligible patients could be treated 'in a matter of months', according to Health Secretary Wes Streeting. Under the agreement, the Government will contribute up to £50 million in UK-wide investment. Meanwhile, Eli Lilly will back the programme with £35 million, and NHS organisations will be able to apply for a share of the funding. Recommended reading: Mounjaro warning as pens ruined by heatwave temperatures This comes as users are risking having to throw away perfectly good Mounjaro pens as they have overheated in the recent heatwave. Improper storage of Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro during a heatwave could destroy the active ingredient in these jabs, potentially wiping out their effects entirely, even if the medication looks completely normal. 'We recommend treating your weight-loss pen the same way you'd treat insulin or any critical medication,' says Danielle Brightman, Clinical Director at Numan. 'When in doubt, don't risk it. Speak to a healthcare professional and arrange a replacement.' 8 tips to protect Mounjaro and other weight-loss injections during hot weather Use a medical-grade cool bag. Transport your pen in a proper, insulated container designed for sensitive medications. Don't use improvised ice packs that might freeze the pen by accident. Never leave your pen in hot places. Even 10 minutes in a parked car or on a sunny kitchen counter could expose it to damaging heat if out of its delivery packaging or unrefrigerated. Always check the environment before setting it down. Store below 30°C once in use. Once opened and if not refrigerated, keep your pen in a shaded, ventilated area, away from heat sources, windows, and radiators. If you live in a flat or home without air conditioning, keep the pen in a bedroom or hallway that doesn't heat up from direct sun. Avoid storing near exterior walls if the property retains heat. Follow the usage timeline carefully. The storage instructions between medications. Wegovy after first use can last 6 weeks below 30 degrees then needs to be disposed of, whereas Mounjaro has a shorter time of 30 days below 30 degrees before needing to be disposed of. Stick to that timeframe, and if you're unsure whether it's still safe, consult your provider. Use a fridge thermometer at home. Fridge temperatures can fluctuate, especially in older models or over-packed shelves. A simple digital fridge thermometer can help ensure your pen is always stored between 2–8°C before first use. Planning to travel? Use airline-friendly cooling cases. If you're flying or taking long journeys, consider TSA-approved insulated medication pouches with cooling gel packs. Always store the pen in carry-on luggage, not checked baggage, as cargo holds can get hot or cold. Set storage reminders on your phone. If you're prone to forgetting where you left your pen, set daily reminders to check if it's stored properly, especially during heatwaves or while travelling. Don't store near appliances or steam sources. Keep pens away from kettles, toasters, ovens, dishwashers, and anywhere that might experience sudden heat or humidity, especially in small kitchens or shared spaces. Injections like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro are now widely used across the UK for appetite control and sustainable weight management. But despite their growing popularity and increasing availability now through the NHS, most patients don't realise the strict temperature guidelines that must be followed to keep these drugs effective. 'We speak to patients every day who are using GLP-1s for the first time,' says Danielle. 'With temperatures set to soar again this summer, it's crucial we raise awareness about safe medication storage. Heat damage isn't always obvious, but it can have a huge impact on effectiveness and safety."
