Sue Cleaver has played Eileen Grimshaw in Coronation Street for 25 years and has been at the centre of some of the ITV soap's biggest storylines – but now she's quit
After an impressive quarter of a century on Coronation Street, Sue Cleaver is calling it a day as the beloved Eileen Grimshaw character. Having joined the soap in the millennium year, she's now opting to explore new horizons beyond the fictional streets of Weatherfield.
In that time, Sue's portrayal of Eileen has seen her at the heart of gripping plots, not least when her on-screen son Todd became a father during his teenage years with Sarah Louise Platt. Sue, at 61 years young, is looking forward to other ventures but will grace our screens until late in the Spring season.
The die-hard followers of the show can breathe easy knowing that Eileen will not meet her demise; Corrie bosses have left the door open for a potential return, which could see Eileen stir up trouble again in the future.
Upon reflection of her time on the show, Sue expressed her sentiments in a statement released to the press: "I've had 25 privileged years of working on Coronation Street," she added, "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."
Sue also mentioned having "adored" being part of the cast but feels the pull to pursue varied opportunities, reports the Mirror .
Speculation around her exit began to circulate last summer following a sabbatical from the series to star as Mother Superior in the stage production of 'Sister Act'. Such early discussions allowed the show's scriptwriters to craft an exit for Eileen that promises to delight fans.
Corrie's executive producer Kate Brooks has expressed her sentiments on Sue Cleaver's departure, stating: "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 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."
Meanwhile, Sue Cleaver herself has shared her feelings about her co-star Helen Worth, who played Gail Platt, leaving the show after an impressive 50-year stint, during an appearance on Loose Women: "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 continued to praise Helen, saying: "One thing I tell you is, she is the most generous, empathetic, humble human being you will ever meet, and everybody loves her."
Sue also reflected on Helen's impact on the younger actors on set, adding: "If you speak to Jack Shepherd and Tina O'Brien who play her kids in the show, they will say she has been a mentor. She has taught them everything they know, from how you behave on the set, etiquette."
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