After 25 memorable years on Coronation Street, actress Sue Cleaver is bidding farewell to her beloved character Eileen Grimshaw. The decision, announced recently, marks the end of what has been described as a "privileged" tenure for Cleaver, who feels it's time to "embrace change" and seek new adventures as she approaches her 60th birthday.
Since her debut on Coronation Street back in 2000, Cleaver’s portrayal of Eileen has been central to many impactful storylines, drawing viewers with her tenacity and engaging rivalries, particularly with Gail Platt, played by Helen Worth. "I've had 25 privileged years of working on Coronation Street," Cleaver shared with The Sun. "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."
Producer Kate Brooks expressed sadness over Cleaver's departure, stating, "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." Cleaver’s exit is set to air late spring, but specific details about how her character will leave the show remain under wraps.
Fans of the show are already speculating about the nature of Eileen’s exit. Some believe her departure storyline may involve her breaking up with current boyfriend George Shuttleworth, leading her to join her son Jason, who is living abroad. A dedicated fan on Facebook shared their thoughts, lamenting, "She's more just of a background character now, Eileen's not had a storyline in years. Still gutted though." Another echoed similar sentiments, saying they expect her to split from George and move to live with Jason, who waved goodbye to Weatherfield back in 2016.
While the show's audience has voiced concerns about Eileen's character facing an unfortunate fate, insiders have confirmed she won't meet grim repercussions during her exit. This assurance has provided some comfort to die-hard fans who have watched her navigate tumultuous relationships, including her infamous union with the psychotic Pat Phelan.
The news of Cleaver’s departure follows the recent exit of Helen Worth, who portrayed Gail Platt for 50 years. Worth's poignant goodbye struck chords with fans and emphasized the emotional weight surrounding these long-standing characters leaving the show they love. Worth noted, "It's been a fabulous 50 years, and I just wanted to thank all of you, some of you who may have been watching for 50 years. Is there anybody?"
The changes at Coronation Street signal significant transitions for both the cast and its longstanding viewers, as beloved characters exit to make way for new narratives. Cleaver’s decision to step away marks not just personal changes for the actress but also impacts the fabric of the show’s community, having quietly woven herself through the stories of countless characters.
Reflecting on her time at Coronation Street, Cleaver has spoken fondly of the cast and crew, viewing them as family. A source revealed to The Sun on Sunday, "Sue has adored her time on Corrie, and sees the cast and crew as her family, but realized if she wanted to try new projects then she needed to do it now." The planning for her exit storyline began shortly after her stint on the musical Sister Act, which afforded writers ample time to craft an emotional goodbye for her character.
Fans of the show can continue to tune in on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX as they bid farewell to Eileen Grimshaw. Sue Cleaver's departure signifies not only the end of an era for her character but also highlights the cycles of change inherent to the beloved soap.