Following a quarter of a century on Coronation Street, one of its most senior stars has made the cut in her last scenes while leaving behind a legacy that’s thoroughly entangled in the very fabric of the cobbles. Although her exit episode is yet to be screened, a behind-the-scenes peek posted by her co-stars has already pulled at the heartstrings of audiences and cast alike.
A Quiet Goodbye With Big Emotions Behind the Scenes
Sue Cleaver, who is loved as Eileen Grimshaw, has finished filming at Coronation Street after 25 years. Her departure spells the end of an era, with her leaving the show prompted by a need to venture out and discover new things after hitting 60. Sue explained that she had been privileged to spend 25 years on the show and now needed to face change and live without fear.
Her recent stage success in Sister Act: The Musical—her first theatre appearance in almost three decades—provided the catalyst for her decision to make the leap.
Tony Maudsley, who plays her on-screen partner George Shuttleworth, shared a poignant first glimpse of her last day on set. Sharing a behind-the-scenes picture on Instagram, he wrote, “Farewell Eyelash!” — his affectionate nickname for Sue‘s character.
The photo captures Sue thumbing her way out on the No.11 Coronation Street sofa, amidst her leaving presents: two bouquets of flowers and one elephant figurine from the Grimshaw house set, complete with a StreetCars business card. Tony and her on-screen sons — Gareth Pierce (Todd Grimshaw) and Ryan Thomas (Jason Grimshaw) — were standing around her.
They were clapping for her. Ryan Thomas briefly returned as Jason for Sue’s farewell storyline and shared that Sue had personally called him to ask. He said he couldn’t say no. “I’m going to step onto the cobbles for five minutes,” he noted. His children weren’t born during his original stint on the soap. He looked forward to sharing this special moment with them. He also attributed all he knows, saying he would not be where he is today without the show.
Coronation Street: A Storyline Full of Goodbyes
Sue’s exit is part of a larger emotional journey unfolding for the Grimshaw family on and off-screen. Eileen‘s departure started with the dramatic return of her estranged half-sister Julie Carp, played by Katy Cavanagh-Jupe. Julie had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and was given only months to live. The news shocked the family and promised to make her last days memorable.
But this week’s episodes introduce more upheaval. The money raised to send Julie on her dream funeral trip has gone missing. In the background, the soap has also been piling on issues for Eileen‘s son, Todd. His new romance with Theo Silverton is proving tricky. Theo has a wife and children and has been playing Todd as a bit of a secret affair, making him feel used and conflicted. All these individual storylines have helped advance the emotional momentum of Eileen‘s impending departure.
Producer Kate Brooks labeled Sue‘s departure bittersweet, stating that the show would miss her but look forward to what she‘s doing next. She complimented Eileen Grimshaw‘s standing at the center of Corrie‘s most timeless moments. Kate didn’t shy away from jogging fans‘ memories about long-standing one-upmanship between Eileen and Gail Platt.
Kate added that there was never anyone quite like Eileen, and the cobbles would be missing her presence. While Sue has shot her last scene, viewers still have a little time left with Eileen on screen, as the soap usually records episodes two months ahead. But for the cast and crew, the goodbye has already been experienced. Stay tuned to Soap Opera Daily and we will keep you posted on more such Coronation Street updates!
