Coronation Street star Claire Sweeney has confirmed a significant career shift that will see her temporarily depart from the iconic ITV soap opera. The actress, best known to millions for her portrayal of Cassie Plummer on the long-running Manchester-based drama, has secured a coveted role in the forthcoming UK tour of the beloved musical Annie.
From Weatherfield to the West End Stage
Claire Sweeney, aged 54, will be stepping into the formidable shoes of Miss Hannigan, the villainous orphanage proprietress, in a major new production scheduled to tour extensively throughout 2026. This move marks a return to her musical theatre origins for the versatile performer, who first found fame on the Liverpool-set Channel 4 soap Brookside before becoming a household name.
A Shared Role with Strictly Star
The production will feature an alternating cast for the pivotal role of Miss Hannigan. Sweeney will be sharing duties with the previously announced La Voix, the RuPaul's Drag Race UK and Strictly Come Dancing star who was cast following her appearance on the BBC ballroom competition late last year. The official Instagram account for the Annie tour enthusiastically announced the casting with the message: "Someone pinch us please... Claire Sweeney is Miss Hannigan! Don't miss Claire as our Mother of the Year!"
The extensive tour schedule reveals that La Voix will open the production at the New Wimbledon Theatre on 23rd May, performing in Birmingham, Manchester, Plymouth, and Canterbury. Claire Sweeney will then take over the role from 7th July, bringing her interpretation to stages across Cardiff, Milton Keynes, Blackpool, Newcastle, Dublin, Bristol, Nottingham, Hull, Edinburgh, Liverpool, and numerous other cities including Glasgow and Leicester.
A Proven Stage Performer
While television audiences know her primarily from Coronation Street and her stint on Dancing on Ice, Claire Sweeney boasts substantial theatrical credentials. Her stage career includes notable performances in productions of Chicago, Tell Me On A Sunday, 9 to 5, and Legally Blonde. Her musical journey began in her teenage years as a singer, and following her appearance on the first series of Celebrity Big Brother, she released a self-titled album in 2002.
The Legacy of Miss Hannigan
The role of Miss Hannigan carries considerable prestige in theatrical circles. Originally portrayed by Dorothy Loudon on Broadway in 1977, for which she won a Tony Award, the character was later immortalised on film by legendary comedienne Carol Burnett in the 1982 adaptation. In the United Kingdom, the part has frequently been awarded to prominent entertainment figures.
Notable British performers who have previously inhabited the role include Paul O'Grady in his iconic drag persona Lily Savage during the 1998 West End revival, Birds of a Feather star Lesley Joseph, and Hi-De-Hi actors Ruth Madoc and Su Pollard. Intriguingly, Sweeney's Coronation Street colleague Jodie Prenger alternated the part in 2023 with Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood.
About the Musical Production
Annie, based on Harold Gray's classic comic strip Little Orphan Annie, follows the heartwarming story of a resilient young redhead searching for her parents before finding an unexpected home with billionaire Oliver Warbucks. The musical features timeless standards like Tomorrow and It's A Hard Knock Life, and won the Tony Award for Best Musical in 1977. The title role has launched the careers of numerous actresses including Andrea McArdle, Sarah Jessica Parker, and more recently, Stranger Things star Sadie Sink.
Miss Hannigan's memorable musical numbers include Little Girls and Easy Street, providing Sweeney with a substantial platform to showcase her vocal and comedic talents. La Voix, speaking previously on ITV's Loose Women, expressed her excitement about joining the production, noting the legacy of the role and her connection to Paul O'Grady's age when he first performed it.
This career move represents a significant development for Claire Sweeney, allowing her to return to her theatrical roots while temporarily stepping away from the demanding schedule of a continuing television drama. Her casting continues the tradition of well-known television personalities bringing the iconic character of Miss Hannigan to life for British audiences.
