TEARFUL GOODBYE
Corrie’s Sue Cleaver reveals shock twist in Eileen’s exit and Ryan Thomas’ special role in final scenes after 25 years
CORONATION Street star Sue Cleaver has opened up about her emotional departure from the cobbles and revealed a surprise twist as Ryan Thomas returns for her final scenes.
The Sun first revealed the actor - who plays Jason Grimshaw in the ITV soap - had agreed to a limited return to give on-screen mum Sue a fitting send off.
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In a touching full-circle moment, Sue said she personally asked her former on-screen son Ryan back to the Cobbles.
Speaking to the 61-year-old actress also admitted there was always a risk her character might be killed off but bosses gave her the chance to help shape her exit.
“I asked Ryan to come back over a year ago,” she confirmed to The Mirror.
“He had no intention of coming back into Corrie, but last April I said ‘look Ryan, I need you to do me a favour.
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“I’ve not told work yet, but I’m going to leave and I’d really like you to come back and take me out.’ And bless him, he said: ‘well I can’t refuse that can I?’”
Sue revealed she asked bosses to give Eileen a happy ending - a rare thing in soapland - and they said yes.
Jason returns from Thailand just in time for Julie’s funeral, and when Eileen sees him, something clicks.
Disillusioned with her relationship with undertaker George and worn down by being suspected in Julie’s tragic death, she decides to go with Jason for a new start.
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Though her character is heading off for pastures new, Sue’s own future is wide open.
She’s not ruling out anything, including a potential return to the soap.
Coronation Street fans stunned as Eileen Grimshaw looks unrecognisable - asking 'have they recast her-!'
“There was always the risk that they might have killed me off,” she said.
“But they were supportive and said ‘Eileen’s a big part of the show.’
“They asked what kind of ending I wanted, and I said I didn’t want to call it a day, because I love the place.
“I said I wanted a happy ending. Basically, the journey Eileen is taking is pretty much what I’m choosing to do.”
Ryan began filming in March for his short stint and was on set for Sue’s swansong.
Back in November 2022, Sue accepted a reality TV stint that appeared to trigger in motion her desire to walk away from Coronation Street 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.
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Some of the stars Sue found herself living among included Culture Club singer Boy George, Jill Scott, Owen Warner and Chris Moyles.
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.
Coronation Street's 2024 shock exits
Corrie has said goodbye to several cast members this year. Let's break down who's left the famous soap:
Eliza Woodrow (Savannah Kunyo) has said farewell to Corrie to start a new life in Germany.
The youngster moved to live with her dad Dom Everett, who went back on the £10,000 bribe Eliza's grandfather Stu had offered to keep him out of her life.
Paul Foreman (Peter Ash) will bow out of the soap this summer when he loses his fight with motor neurone disease (MND) in tragic scenes.
After being diagnosed last year, the fan favourite was devastated to learn he only had months left to live.
Viewers know he is planning to take his own life to end his suffering.
Summer Spellman (Harriet Bibby) departed the cobbles after being offered the opportunity of a lifetime to study in America.
Though she struggled to decide with her stepdad Paul’s impending death from MND, she was convinced she had to live her life to the full.
Simon Barlow (Alex Bain) has struggled with the sudden departure of his father Peter from the cobbles.
The Weatherfield legend left his family and loved ones behind on Boxing Day, 2023, when his wife Carla Connor encouraged him to travel around the world with a friend.
Simon's been on a downward spiral ever since and his exit could end in tragedy.
Alya Nazir is set to leave the cobbles as actress Sair Khan prepares to go on maternity leave ahead of the birth of her first child.
It looks likely she'll be heading to Dublin after securing a lucrative new job, leaving her colleague and fling Adam Barlow behind.
Show stalwart Sue Cleaver, who plays Eileen Grimshaw, is taking a break to star in the Sister Act The Musical UK tour. She will be back filming in May once her dates on the tour come to an end.
Her character left the Street after her son Jason broke his back after falling off a moped in Asia.
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