Claire Sweeney has revealed she was emotional after a surprise gesture from the cast and crew of Coronation Street on her final day on set. The 55-year-old Scouser has been a hit with fans of the ITV soap since she joined the cast as Cassandra Plummer in 2023.
Exit storyline already in motion
Cassie arrived on the show in 2023 as she attempted to repair her estranged relationship with onscreen son, Tyrone Dobbs. She has been at the centre of several major storylines since being part of the Corriedale crossover episode, poisoning Ken Barlow and fighting off Tracy Barlow to become Steve McDonald's love interest. However, Claire is set to bid farewell to the Cobbles in scenes that will air at the start of next month.
The Scouser spoke to the ECHO in an exclusive interview this week and said she reflects back on her time on the show with "love and fondness". She said: "I laughed everyday with Alan Halsall, Simon Gregson and Kate Ford, little Ellie Mulvaney. Getting to work so closely with Bill Roache was a dream job. It hasn't quite hit me that I've left. I miss it and I love it."
Cassie's departure
Cassie's exit storyline is already being put in place following the arrival of former flame Ross who is Tyrone's biological dad. Spoilers have revealed this will spark a chain of events that will ultimately lead to Steve splitting up with Cassie. While her last episode has yet to be broadcast, Claire has already exited the cast of the soap and filmed her final scene months ago.
The actress was moved by what the cast and crew did on her final day on set as she told the ECHO: "It was very emotional. I didn't expect them to come on set with flowers and make a little presentation to me. I didn't expect that and it was very lovely."
New role in Annie
Claire leaves the show with memories and friends for life as she told the ECHO she remains in contact with Tracy Barlow star, Kate Ford, who she hailed as "one of the funniest women" she knows. Claire still watches the show and thinks the emotions of leaving will only truly hit when she tunes in for her final episode. She said: "I think it will hit me then so I don't know how it feels. I've loved it. It's one of the happiest jobs I've ever done."
Claire has exited Corrie to take on another dream role as she is playing Miss Hannigan in the touring production of Annie. The show is coming to the Liverpool Empire from September 22 - 26 and Claire can't wait to perform in front a home crowd. She said: "Scousers are always very vocal and know how to enjoy themselves. You can't help but enjoy yourself [with Annie]. It's marvellous."
She added: "[Playing Miss Hannigan] has been a box I've wanted to tick for a long time. To get a chance to play her is a dream role, especially coming to the Empire as well. I feel very lucky. There's comedy in it, there's tragedy in it and you get a belter of a song. The show in itself is wonderful. It's such a fabulous production. It's like the perfect musical."
"There's kids. There's a dog. There's belting tunes. The first half is just over an hour. The second half is just over 45 minutes. It's perfect in every way."
While Claire is enjoying the present chapter on the road with Annie, she will always treasure her time as part of the cast of Corrie. Speaking about what the show means to her in an exclusive interview with the ECHO in 2024, she said: "It's part of history being in this show and I feel very honoured to be part of Corrie. I get all the flirtation stuff with Steve McDonald, I get to scrap with Tracy Barlow and poison a national treasure. There's not a dull moment and I'm so grateful for these brilliant storylines."
