SHE has become a Coronation Street legend thanks to her 25-year stint as Eileen Grimshaw but Sue Cleaver is soon to depart for pastures new.
The actress that she had quit the show for good later explaining she had a desire to pursue other projects as she entered her 60s.
Eileen will be involved in a tragic death scene which kickstarts her exit from the soap.
Her sister Julie Carp will pass on from her crippling battle with cancer this week but leaves a hidden message for her sister that forces Eileen to reconsider things in her life.
But the writing was on the wall for Sue’s exit for up to a year before her departure was confirmed.
The actress dropped a slew of big hints that she was poised to leave in order to mark her 25th anniversary but did you notice them all?
I’m A Celebrity
Back in November 2022, Sue accepted a reality TV stint that appeared to trigger in motion her desire to walk away from for good.
The actress headed into the I’m A Celeb camp and found herself living amongst the creepy crawlies of the jungle before being booted out third.
Some of the stars Sue found herself living among included Culture Club singer , , and .
Whilst many Corrie cast have taken part in the show and then returned to the cobbles, Sue’s appearance in the jungle marked the beginning of her appearing less and less in Weatherfield as she slowed her appearances and major storylines down.
It was a sure-fire sign that having experience a piece of life away from Corrie that she did not want to slow down.
Loose Women
A few months on from her time in the jungle, Sue found herself another new home – on ITV daytime.
The actress began making appearances as a regular panellist on in 2023 and has remained there ever since.
She even used her role on the show to discuss the details about her Corrie exit for the first time.
It meant Sue became the first star of Corrie to appear on Loose Women regularly whilst still in her acting role.
Following the jungle, it became the second of Sue’s project where she appeared herself – another clear way she was breaking away from her Eileen Grimshaw persona.
New Acting Venture
Last year, Sue announced she was to take an on-screen break from her role as Eileen in order to tear up the stage with her first musical role in 30 years.
Having clearly been bitten by the bug of a potential post-Corrie life, Sue managed to persuade bosses to allow her time off for another gig.
Sue took on a role in the production of Sister Act: The Musical to rave reviews.
Savvy Sue was clearly ensuring she had plenty of opportunities and contacts to continue welcoming in plenty of work when she eventually made the decision to leave Corrie.
A source previously told The Sun that Sister Act was the final straw for Eileen Grimshaw with Sue pulling soap bosses into a meeting shortly after to express her desire to quit for good.
Sue’s Life Story
Around the time Sue opted to leave the show, but months before the news became public, she confirmed she had put pen to paper on her very own memoir.
Titled A Work in Progress, Sue opened up about many aspects of life but kept schtum when it came to discussing Corrie.
But the big-money deal to pen an autobiography once again solidified that Sue’s focus was elsewhere and not on life behind the switch at StreetCars.
Whilst many of the Coronation Street cast are often forbidden form accepting work outside of the show, it appeared as though show bosses allowed Sue to do whatever she pleased – likely in the hopes that this would mean she could find a healthy balance between the two and remain on the cobbles for an extra 25 years.
Telling Interview
Before her Corrie departure was revealed in January, Sue hinted in a chat with Prima mag last year.
She appeared to suggest tot the magazine that she felt like she had a clearer direction than ever after reaching her 60s.
Sue said to the publication: “I just feel like the world really is my oyster now, and there’s so much available out there. There’s so much that you can do.
“I feel much more clear about who I am now. But don’t get me wrong, I’m still a work in progress.
“I don’t think any of us can sit there and say, ‘Oh, yeah, I’m completely sorted, I’m completely secure about everything.’ That’s just not how life works.
“But when those sticky thoughts come up, I’m much more likely to be able to see them for what they are, and that’s the difference.”;
