Coronation Street legend confirms shock exit after 25 years
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Actress Sue Cleaver is set to leave Coronation Street after 25 years, it has been confirmed. The star, 61, has played the outspoken Eileen Grimshaw in the ITV show since 2000. Shortly after her first appearance on screens, Eileen was employed to work at the taxi firm, StreetCars, which was run by Vikram Desai (Chris Bisson) and Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson).
![[Editorial use only Mandatory Credit: Photo by Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock (14741126n) Sue Cleaver 'Lorraine' TV show, London, UK - 26 Sep 2024]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_223259327-0f3e.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
She accepted the job offer to provide for her two tearaway teenage children, Jason (Ryan Thomas) and Todd (Bruno Langley). Eileen went on to feature in some of the show’s most famous storylines, including Todd coming out as Corrie’s first-ever gay character.
![[Editorial use only. Exclusive - Premium Rates Apply. Call your Account Manager for pricing. Mandatory Credit: Photo by ITV/REX/Shutterstock (1085054ie) Just as Eileen Grimshaw [Sue Cleaver] is giving Jason Grimshaw [Ryan Thomas] relationship advice - in walks Jesse Chadwick [John Thomson]. 'Coronation Street' TV Series.]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_217918036-c621.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Speaking about her time on the cobbles, Sue said: ‘I’ve had 25 privileged years of working on Coronation Street.’. Thankfully for viewers, bosses shan’t be killing her off but are instead hopeful she’ll return one day. ‘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 added.
![[Editorial use only Mandatory Credit: Photo by Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock (14877895k) Sue Cleaver 'Good Morning Britain' TV show, London, UK - 07 Nov 2024]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_228691861-8132.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
It is understood that she made the decision in the summer, after her appearance in the Sister Act musical tour. She returned to the stage for the first time in about three decades. Sue will bow out later this year as her exit storyline airs in spring. Producer Kate Brooks said: ‘We’re sad to bid farewell to the wonderful Sue Cleaver.
![[Editorial use only Mandatory Credit: Photo by ITV/Danielle Baguley/REX/Shutterstock (14535613a) Coronation Street Eileen Grimshaw, as played by Sue Cleaver 'Coronation Street' TV Show, Episodes 11291 - 11300 UK - Jun 2024 Coronation Street, is a British ITV long running television soap opera set in the fictional North of England town of Weatherfield, near Manchester. Created by Tony Warren, the series was first broadcast on December 9th, 1960, and was produced by ITV Granada.]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_234974571-785b.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
