Coronation Street confirms shock exit for soap icon after 3 years of drama on the cobbles
The star is leaving to take up a new role on the stage.
ITV has announced that Claire Sweeney will be leaving the cobbles for good after nearly three years on Coronation Street.
She first joined the line-up of the historic soap in 2023 as Cassie Plummer, a former drug addict and birth mother of Tyrone Dobbs.
She quickly became a villain on the street when she was exposed for poisoning Ken Barlow, played by William Roache, while caring for him after he experienced a fall.
Then in February last year, Cassie began dating Simon Gregson's character Steve McDonald.
Now, Sweeney will be leaving the show to join the cast of the UK and Ireland tour of Annie to play Miss Hannigan.
Radio Times understands that ITV bosses have known about the actress's departure from the soap for a while now and that they already have a big storyline planned for the character's exit.
A Coronation Street spokesperson said: "We wish Claire every success playing Miss Hannigan and congratulate her on being offered a role she has long wanted to play.
"Cassie will be on the cobbles until the summer during which time she will continue to make her presence felt in Weatherfield leading up to a great exit storyline."
The Annie tour will initially begin with La Voix in the role of Miss Hannigan in five venues from 23rd May, before Sweeney joins for the remaining 26 locations around the UK and Ireland from 7th July. Full tour dates and booking options are available on its official website.
Sweeney began her career in 1991 with a lead role on the soap Brookside. She competed on the first seasons of both Celebrity Big Brother and Strictly Come Dancing, and from 2003 to 2005 was a regular panellist on Loose Women.
Last year, the star spoke about the revival of Brookside to mark the show's 30th anniversary, although she explained she couldn't take part due to Corrie filming commitments.
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Authors
Phoebe Kowhai Barnes is a Freelance Writer who covers pop culture and entertainment programmes for the Radio Times. She previously worked as the Senior Assistant Editor at The Tab where she managed its local department. She obtained a BA (Hons) in English Literature from University of Nottingham.
