Sue Cleaver, known for her role as Eileen Grimshaw in Coronation Street, is to leave the show after 25 years.
Cleaver who has played Grimshaw since 2000, has said that she will leave the show, but is keeping the "door open" to make a return to the soap in the future.
The storyline regarding Cleaver's exit from the soap will be aired on Coronation Street in the Spring.
"I've had 25 privileged years of working on Coronation Street", Cleaver said. "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".
According to reports, Sue Cleaver made the decision to leave the cobbles last Summer, following her appearance in the Sister Act musical tour, where she returned to the stage for the first time in almost 30 years.
"We’re sad to bid farewell to the wonderful Sue Cleaver", Coronation Street producer Kate Brooks said. "Over the past 25 years, Eileen Grimshaw has been at the heart of some of the most memorable and iconic Corrie storylines, and her onscreen 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".
Sue Cleaver's exit from the show comes after Helen Worth (Gail Rodwell) left the show after 50 years. More on this here.
