Actress Sue Cleaver will leave Coronation Street after 25 years but is keeping the “door open” to make a return to the soap.

The star, 61, has played the outspoken and uncomplicated Eileen Grimshaw in the ITV show since 2000.

Cleaver said: “I’ve had 25 privileged years of working on Coronation Street.

“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.”

Sue Cleaver to leave Coronation Street 

It is understood that Cleaver made the decision in the summer, after her appearance in the Sister Act musical tour. She returned to the stage for the first time in about three decades.

She will have an exit storyline which will air in the spring.

Producer Kate Brooks said: “We’re sad to bid farewell to the wonderful Sue Cleaver.

“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.

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“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.”

At Christmas, Helen Worth said farewell to the cobbles after 50 years.

In her exit storyline, Gail Rodwell (Worth) swapped Weatherfield for a new life in France, after she finally got her happy ending by marrying Jesse Chadwick, played by John Thomson.