CORONATION Street star Sue Cleaver is leaving the ITV soap after 25 years.
The show stalwart, 61, who plays no-nonsense Eileen Grimshaw, plans to pursue new acting projects — and has already begun filming her exit storylines.
But writers will not be killing off the much-loved character, who helps to run Weatherfield taxi firm Street Cars, in case she decides to reprise her role in the future.
Sue, who will still appear on screen until late spring, exclusively told The Sun on Sunday yesterday: “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.”
It comes after Sue took a break from Corrie last year to star in Sister Act The Musical as Mother Superior and appeared in reality show I’m A Celebrity in 2022.
A telly source said: “Sue has adored her time on Corrie, and sees the cast and crew as her family, but realised that if she wanted to try new projects then she needed to do it now.
“She spoke to bosses last summer, shortly after her stint on Sister Act, about her decision to explore new roles, which gave writers plenty of time to create a strong exit storyline for her, which viewers will love.”
Corrie’s new boss 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.”
Last year, Sue released her memoir A Work In Progress and revealed she was embracing being in her 60s.
She said: “I feel like I’ve still got a lot to give, and I want adventures.
“I’m not going to let fear hold me back, and I’m not going to let society hold me back either — absolutely not.
“I want to forge my own path, and I encourage all women to do the same.”
