Sue Cleaver's real reason for leaving Corrie as Eileen exits after 25 years
It's set to be an emotional night in Coronation Street tonight as Eileen Grimshaw (Sue Cleaver) waves goodbye to Weatherfield after 25 years.
It was previously revealed that the star would be leaving alongside her on screen son, Jason Grimshaw (Ryan Thomas) who made his return upon Sue's request. Sue recently confessed in an interview that she'd called close friend Ryan, begging him to come back for her final storyline - an offer he could not refuse.
In January, Sue announced that she'd be leaving the soap after playing Eileen Grimshaw for 25 years - expressing why she felt now was the time to say goodbye.
"I've had 25 privileged years of working on Coronation Street," Sue said in a statement shared with the media. Explaining the reasoning behind her departure, the star went on to say: "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." Despite saying she "adored" her time on the show, she realised it was time to take on new projects.
During her time on Coronation Street, Sue had embarked on a number of projects outside of the show. Before announcing her exit, she had an extended period of leave from the show to take part in the theatre production of Sister Act as as Mother Superior. In 2024, she became a panellist on ITV daytime chat show, Loose Women.
Sue will be dearly missed by her Corrie colleagues, as executive producer Kate Brooks said in a statement: "We're sad to bid farewell to the wonderful Sue Cleaver.
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 (Helen Worth) will undoubtedly go down in Corrie folklore.
"There's certainly no one quite like Eileen, and her character will be hugely missed on the Cobbles. We wish Sue all the very best as she embarks on her next exciting chapter."
Ahead of her big exit airing on ITV - eager fans who watched the episode on ITVX have taken to X, formerly known as Twitter to express their thoughts on the exit.
One emotional fan penned: "Wow todays episode of Corrie had me happy crying what an ending for an iconic character. I'm gonna miss Eileen Grimshaw so much. Thank you Sue Cleaver for 25 incredible years."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
39 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Gangs of London's Lucian Msamati teases new Netflix show Hostage with Suranne Jones
Reach Screen Time spoke exclusively to Lucian Msamati about working with Suranne Jones One of the leading actors from Netflix 's new adrenaline-fuelled political thriller Hostage, has given us a sneak peek behind the scenes, following lead actress Suranne Jones' unexpected revelation, reports the Manchester Evening News. In an exclusive chinwag with Reach Screen Time, Lucian Msamati, known for his roles in Gangs of London and Game of Thrones, spilled the beans about the twist-filled series and his experience working alongside the Gentleman Jack star. Msamati, 49, shared: "I think there was great spark. Suranne and I just got on like a house on fire and we sort of became work husband and wife, which is really at the centre of both of their jobs. "They're both hard-headed, they're both very good at what they do and they both care." He hinted: "I think the scenes, without giving too much away, there are later scenes to come which were tough in good way. But that's the juice that we're after." Hostage is a five-part Netflix series and marks Coronation Street and Vigil actress Jones' first venture with the streaming behemoth. The star collaborated closely with creator and Oscar-nominated writer Matt Charman, who penned the script for Hollywood film Bridge of Spies, on the story. She also wore the hat of a producer on the TV series. Msamati portrays prime ministerial aide Kofi Adomako, who is tasked with advising Jones' British premier Abigail Dalton after her husband is kidnapped and her resignation is demanded as the ransom for his release. The distinguished British-Tanzanian actor revealed he was attracted to the project by Charman, and disclosed how the playwright rang him about the role which was penned specifically with the star in mind. Looking back on his preparation for the character of Adomako, the actor explained: "I think I've had the benefit of playing lots of conciliatory types, lots of right-hand, king of the hand type characters. This is watching people who are immediately behind the throne. "There were some really interesting books, the calculation that has to happen. A person whose job it is to anticipate, the person whose job it is to go, 'What are the possible outcomes here? Can I get ahead of this?' Just being, you know, ultimately loyal, ultimately responsible." He continued: "And he sort of, for myself, this guys's been there, he's done that, several governments, he knows his stuff. We don't know his political allegiance but we know he's first duty is to the office of the prime minister." Msamati is currently occupied with numerous other ventures and according to IMDb, he will be featuring in the mini-series Run Away. The star also revealed: "There are a few interesting theatrical projects bubbling and brewing and there may or may not be another well-known television series that may or may not be coming out later this year that I may or may not be a part of. You'll just have to wait and see." The interview coincides with Sky's confirmation of a fourth season for Gangs of London. However, considering the recent plot developments, it seems improbable that Msamati will make a comeback.
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Hollyoaks, Coronation Street and Waterloo Road stars sign up as fan-favourite hit drama lands SIXTH series
Series six of All Creatures Great and Small is set to feature lots of big names FAMILIAR FACES Hollyoaks, Coronation Street and Waterloo Road stars sign up as fan-favourite hit drama lands SIXTH series Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ALL Creatures Great and Small is making a return to screens this autumn, and it's set to feature some familiar faces. Chris Gacoyne from Coronation Street, Philip Martin Brown from Waterloo Road and Lucy-Jo Hudson from Hollyoaks are three of the latest cast members revealed in the lineup for the sixth series. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Chris played Peter Barlow in Corrie Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk 6 You may know Lucy-Jo as Donna-Marie Quinn in Hollyoaks Credit: Channel 4 6 Philip Martin Brown was once the well-known English teacher, Grantly Budgen, in BBC drama series Waterloo Road Credit: BBC The period drama, based on James Herriot's beloved books, has amassed millions of viewers across the UK and US after first airing back in 2020. Series six will take viewers back to the beautiful Yorkshire Dales for more heartwarming tales, but this time the scenario the Skeldale gang find themselves in is entirely different. The cast shall exist in 1945, just as the war in Europe is coming to a close. On their way back to Darrowby, they will discover veterinary advancements, expanded families and, hopefully, a future filled by more brightness and peace. Many of the programme's fan-favourites will be continuing their stories, including Nicholas Ralph in his role as devoted vet James Herriot. Samuel West (Siegfried Farnon), Anna Madeley (Mrs Hall), and Rachel Shenton (Helen Herriot) will also be back under the spotlight. Though the stellar acting history of All Creatures Great and Small's new additions is bound to bring something flavourful. Lucy-Jo recently took to Instagram to gush about her new role. "So remember when I got a job I was beyond excited about earlier this year? Well this was it... All Creatures Great and Small. "And I have been stepping into a world of countryside charm and storytelling magic. All Creatures Great and Small viewers break down in tears at Christmas special as they say 'my heart was in my mouth' "I am finally able to share this with you. The scenery was out of this world, and it was a dream to be working with such a wonderful bunch of people." As well as these three new faces, Gaia Wise from The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, and Jonathan Hyde from Titanic have been revealed as part of the lineup. Viewers in the UK can expect the show to be available on 5 this autumn, but fans based in the US will be able to enjoy it on PBS in early 2026 - and there's going to be a Christmas special. 6 Lucy-Jo sports a short brunette hairdo as Susan in All Things Great and Small Credit: Helen Williams 6 The Aldersons and Herriots are promient families in the show Credit: Helen Williams
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Emmerdale star Lisa Riley 'in talks' to join I'm A Celebrity 2025 line up
Lisa Riley's name is being dropped into the mix as one of the possible contenders for this year's series of I'm A Celebrity. A soap star traditionally takes part in the show every year Emmerdale favourite Lisa Riley is being lined up to swap the Dales for the Australian jungle later this year, with reports suggesting she is in advanced talks to take part in the next series of I'm A Celebrity. Riley, 49, is best known for playing Mandy Dingle in the ITV soap, which is a role that she first took on in 1995. Over the last three decades she has been at the heart of some of Emmerdale 's most dramatic storylines and won the hearts of viewers. While she left the soap in 2001 to pursue other projects including Fat Friends, Waterloo Road, and Loose Women, she made a triumphant return to Emmerdale in 2019. Now, producers of I'm A Celebrity are said to be eyeing her up as one of the first names for the 2025 series. A TV insider told The Sun: "Lisa is the perfect celebrity for the show because not only is she from a soap watched by millions she's one of its biggest characters and it's an ITV show to boot. "She also has a naughty, mischievous sense of humour which is guaranteed to get a big response from her other celebrity campmates during their time in the jungle. Lisa is by no means the first star from Emmerdale to have gone on I'm a Celebrity and those that do always tend to get a great response from viewers at home." So far, eight Emmerdale stars have entered the jungle since the show launched in 2002, including Lucy Pargeter, Adam Thomas and Gemma Atkinson. Former cast member Danny Miller even went on to win the show in 2021. Riley herself has expressed an interest in taking part in the reality show for a while now. Earlier this year, she said: "I'm A something I would do before I turned 50 as a test for myself." However, she admitted to having some concerns over the more daunting trials, confessing that she could handle eating challenges but adding: "I could never ever do the mice and the rat box." Her potential signing would follow the tradition of soap stars taking part in the ITV jungle hit. Coronation Street actors have been regulars on the series alongside Emmerdale alumni. Antony Cotton competed in 2011, while Helen Flanagan became infamous in 2012 for being voted to face seven consecutive Bushtucker Trials. Most recently, Jennie McAlpine (Fiz Dobbs) entered the jungle in 2017. Speculation is also currently mounting that Corrie star Adam Hussain could join the 2025 line-up after quitting the cobbles earlier this year. The Mirror have contacted ITV for comment. Meanwhile, when it comes to life in the Dales, soap fans are worried that Riley's character Mandy Dingle might be in danger, as the actress recently posted a photo from the set of Emmerdale featuring a body double. One fan expressed their concerns on social media, writing: "Not good if there's a stunt woman, it means Mandy is in trouble."
