Coronation Street star Claire Sweeney has opened up about her emotional departure from the ITV soap, describing her exit storyline as 'explosive'. The actress, who joined the show in 2023 as Cassie Plummer, the long-lost mother of Tyrone Dobbs, has already filmed her final scenes and is set to leave the cobbles this summer.
Three Years of Drama on the Cobbles
Since arriving in Weatherfield, Claire's character Cassie has been at the centre of several major storylines. She poisoned beloved resident Ken Barlow, played by Bill Roache, and embarked on a romance with Steve McDonald, portrayed by Simon Gregson. Her tenure has been packed with drama, but earlier this year it was confirmed that Claire had decided to leave the soap to take on the role of Miss Hannigan in the upcoming tour of Annie.
Emotional Farewell to Cast and Crew
Speaking on Ireland AM, Claire revealed that the reality of leaving hit her on her final day of filming. She said: 'I didn't realise until my last day of filming how I actually felt. My job has always been so transient... With theatre, you do a job, nine months is a long run, or it could be a four-month run and you love each other for that time and you move on. Some people stick. It's like a train, isn't it? People get on in your life and the train moves on.'
She added: 'Corrie, because I've been there three years, you know Alan Halsall [who plays Tyrone] has become part of the family. Simon Gregson, Kate Ford, Elle Mulvaney, the crew, they've all become like family and it was hard saying goodbye. It was very, very emotional.'
Explosive Exit Teased
Claire teased details about her departure from Weatherfield, hinting: 'I can say one word - explosive. That's just me on a night out in Dublin!' She also reflected on her time on the show, saying: 'How lucky was I to work with Bill Roache? I got to poison a national treasure, it was fabulous!'
A Coronation Street spokesperson confirmed her departure earlier this year, stating: '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.'
Coronation Street airs Monday to Friday at 8:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
