Latest news with #Dinnerladies
Metro
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Coronation Street legend was desperate to leave: 'I'm going mad!'
Esteemed actress Anne Reid has said she would've 'gone totally bonkers' had she stayed in the cast of Coronation Street. The star, 90, who is best known for her roles in Victoria Wood's Dinnerladies and Last Tango in Halifax was part of the ITV soap's cast in the 1960s. Joining eight months into the now long-running serial's run as Valerie, the niece of established character Albert Tatlock (Jack Howarth), she immediately caught the eye of next door neighbour Ken Barlow (William Roache). A year later, they married and moved into No. 9, where Val' set up her own hairdressing salon in the front room. The couple welcomed twins Peter and Susan in 1965. Later stories included her resentment towards Ken for being imprisoned as a result of an anti-Vietnam demonstration, fearing her children had been killed in the demolition of the nearby raincoat factory and being held at gunpoint by a convicted rapist. She eventually escaped his clutches by tapping an SOS signal on the kitchen sink pipes, which alerted Ena Sharples (Violet Carson) to the situation. 10 years after joining, the character was killed off in a harrowing episode. 'I said, 'I have to go – I'm going mad',' she told The Guardian's G2 magazine. 'I was so frustrated, I didn't get a laugh in nine years.' Admitting she was 'bored' of the storylines, writers devised a way for the character to be written out at the conclusion of her contract. Ken had accepted a teaching position in Jamaica, and as the locals held a farewell party in the Rovers, Val' rushed to get ready and join them. Realising that her hairdryer wasn't wired properly, she used a potato peeler to screw the plug closed, but when she fell onto the socket, an electrical charge fired through her body. The nearby electric fire then fell over onto her suitcase, setting the Barlow's maisonette flat ablaze. 'God, I don't know how he's stayed in there so long. I would have gone totally bonkers,' she said about co-star Bill, 93, who has remained since day one. 'It suits some people, but it doesn't suit me. No! I would have been in the funny farm by now, darling.' The two were reunited three years ago in the documentary Happy Birthday Bill, which was produced to celebrate his 90th. More Trending Anne was born in Jesmond, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, but was privately educated at a boarding school in Colwyn Bay, North Wales. Because of this, she begrudges being labelled 'Northern' and 'working class'. 'Honey, have you ever met a casting director? Once you've done Coronation Street, you're working class,' she told the publication. View More » 'I do think that hangs about.' If you've got a soap or TV story, video or pictures get in touch by emailing us soaps@ – we'd love to hear from you. Join the community by leaving a comment below and stay updated on all things soaps on our homepage. MORE: Hollyoaks legend 'so proud' as she celebrates 20 years of role that changed her life MORE: 'Miss you' – Emmerdale star responds to Beth Cordingly as fans call for reunion MORE: EastEnders legend 'warned' about real-life Emmerdale star partner
Glasgow Times
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Coronation Street Sue Cleaver lands new role days after exit
The actress, who played the role of Eileen Grimshaw, ended her 25-year stint on the show after her character opted to swap Weatherfield for Thailand. She announced her exit from the show earlier this year, explaining that she wanted to "embrace change". Why did Sue Cleaver leave Coronation Street? Sue Cleaver decided to leave Coronation Street to "embrace change" and try something different. According to The Mirror, she said: "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 lands new role just days after leaving Coronation Street exit The ITV star is now joining the cast of Snake in the Grass at the Theatr Clwyd and Octagon Theatre Bolton. According to The Metro, the actress is set to star alongside Nicola Stephenson and Lisa Zahra when the new production hits the stage this autumn. Is Sue Cleaver in Dinnerladies and what other shows has she acted in? Coronation Street star Sue Cleaver is best known for playing the role of Eileen Grimshaw, but according to IMDb, she has also acted in a number of other shows. She starred in eight episodes of Stanton Blues in 1998, played Glenda in Dinnerladies and has acted in a Touch of Frost. Recommended Reading: She has starred in 2256 episodes of Coronation Street, playing her famous role since the year 2000. The actress also played the role of Sister Treece on the soap for one episode in 1994. Coronation Street is available to watch and stream live on ITV, STV, ITVX and STV Player.
South Wales Argus
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Coronation Street Sue Cleaver lands new role days after exit
The actress, who played the role of Eileen Grimshaw, ended her 25-year stint on the show after her character opted to swap Weatherfield for Thailand. She announced her exit from the show earlier this year, explaining that she wanted to "embrace change". Why did Sue Cleaver leave Coronation Street? Sue Cleaver decided to leave Coronation Street to "embrace change" and try something different. According to The Mirror, she said: "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 lands new role just days after leaving Coronation Street exit The ITV star is now joining the cast of Snake in the Grass at the Theatr Clwyd and Octagon Theatre Bolton. According to The Metro, the actress is set to star alongside Nicola Stephenson and Lisa Zahra when the new production hits the stage this autumn. Is Sue Cleaver in Dinnerladies and what other shows has she acted in? Coronation Street star Sue Cleaver is best known for playing the role of Eileen Grimshaw, but according to IMDb, she has also acted in a number of other shows. She starred in eight episodes of Stanton Blues in 1998, played Glenda in Dinnerladies and has acted in a Touch of Frost. Recommended Reading: She has starred in 2256 episodes of Coronation Street, playing her famous role since the year 2000. The actress also played the role of Sister Treece on the soap for one episode in 1994. Coronation Street is available to watch and stream live on ITV, STV, ITVX and STV Player.
South Wales Argus
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Coronation street icon leaves ITV show after 25 years
Sue Cleaver, who has played the role of Eileen Grimshaw on the ITV show since the year 2000, will exit the programme tonight (Friday, June 6). Tonight, Eileen will make the life-changing decision to move to Thailand with her son Jason (played by Ryan Thomas) and invest in his bar there. According to The Sun, she will also seek a fresh start after being worn down by the drama surrounding her sister Julie's tragic death. Coronation Street legend Sue Cleaver leaving show after 25 years Before leaving the ITV show for good, Sue Cleaver's character stops off at the Rovers Return for one last drink and is left pleasantly surprised by the number of people who came out to send her off. Steve and Tim have organised a special send-off alongside the streetcar drivers. Looking at the sight, Eileen says: "Never knowingly understated, lads." Tim responds by telling her: "Won't be the same without you." Steve adds: "You know what, it's only just hit me that this has been one of the most important relationships of my life." Before she leaves, her son Todd reassures her: "You deserve this Mum." Recommended Reading: Is Sue Cleaver in Dinnerladies and what other shows has she acted in? Coronation Street star Sue Cleaver is best known for playing the role of Eileen Grimshaw, but according to IMDb, she has also acted in a number of other shows. She starred in eight episodes of Stanton Blues in 1998, played Glenda in Dinnerladies and has acted in a Touch of Frost. She has starred in 2256 episodes of Coronation Street, playing her famous role since the year 2000. The actress also played the role of Sister Treece on the soap for one episode in 1994. Coronation Street is available to watch and stream live on ITV, STV, ITVX and STV Player.
Rhyl Journal
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Rhyl Journal
Coronation street icon leaves ITV show after 25 years
Sue Cleaver, who has played the role of Eileen Grimshaw on the ITV show since the year 2000, will exit the programme tonight (Friday, June 6). Tonight, Eileen will make the life-changing decision to move to Thailand with her son Jason (played by Ryan Thomas) and invest in his bar there. According to The Sun, she will also seek a fresh start after being worn down by the drama surrounding her sister Julie's tragic death. A post shared by Sue Cleaver (@officialsuecleaver) Before leaving the ITV show for good, Sue Cleaver's character stops off at the Rovers Return for one last drink and is left pleasantly surprised by the number of people who came out to send her off. Steve and Tim have organised a special send-off alongside the streetcar drivers. Looking at the sight, Eileen says: "Never knowingly understated, lads." Tim responds by telling her: "Won't be the same without you." Steve adds: "You know what, it's only just hit me that this has been one of the most important relationships of my life." Before she leaves, her son Todd reassures her: "You deserve this Mum." Coronation Street star Sue Cleaver is best known for playing the role of Eileen Grimshaw, but according to IMDb, she has also acted in a number of other shows. She starred in eight episodes of Stanton Blues in 1998, played Glenda in Dinnerladies and has acted in a Touch of Frost. She has starred in 2256 episodes of Coronation Street, playing her famous role since the year 2000. The actress also played the role of Sister Treece on the soap for one episode in 1994. Coronation Street is available to watch and stream live on ITV, STV, ITVX and STV Player.
