Sue Cleaver quits Coronation Street

Coronation Street star Sue Cleaver has quit the soap after 25 years.

The actress has played Streetcars dispatcher Eileen Grimshaw since May 2000, however, is now leaving the show to “pursue new projects”.

According to The Sun, she has already started filming her exit storyline, which will allow Eileen to leave the cobbles alive, keeping the possibility of a return open.

The actress told the paper:

“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.”

This decision follows Sue’s break from the show last year, during which she starred as Mother Superior in Sister Act The Musical. She also took a break from the soap to take part in I’m A Celebrity in 2022 and has been appearing as a panellist on Loose Women in recent months.

Love Rivals: Elieen and Gail row on the cobbles

Coronation Street producer Kate Brooks said:

“We’re sad to bid farewell to the wonderful Sue Cleaver.

Over the past 25 years, Eileen Grimshaw has been at the heart of some of the most memorable and iconic Corrie storylines, and her on-screen 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.”

Eileen’s storylines have frequently focused on her tumultuous relationships with various men, including Dennis Stringer, Jesse Chadwick, Paul Kershaw, and Pat Phelan. She also had a long-standing feud with neighbour Gail Platt, which began when her son Todd started dating Gail’s daughter Sarah, a relationship they both opposed. When Todd came out as gay, it led to a furious confrontation between Gail and Eileen on the cobbles, solidifying their status as sworn enemies, often exchanging barbs at each other.