July 4th 2024.
After six years of captivating audiences with her sharp wit and fiery personality, Coronation Street legend Dame Maureen Lipman is bidding farewell to the cobbles. The 78-year-old veteran actress has wowed viewers in her role as Tyrone Dobbs' grandmother, Evelyn Plummer, since 2018. But now, she's ready to take on a new challenge and leave the show to pursue a new opportunity.
During her time on the show, Evelyn has caused quite a stir as the resident harridan. We've seen her reconnect with her estranged grandson, force her way into his family home at No. 9 Coronation Street, and form a compelling friendship with Roy Cropper. In more recent years, she has even reunited with her long-lost daughter, Cassie, and helped her battle against substance abuse.
But come later this year, Evelyn will be trading in the Rovers for the stage as she takes on the role of Mrs. Potty in the annual pantomime at Richmond Theatre. Fans of the show need not worry though, as Maureen will be back on the cobbles in 2025 after her sabbatical.
The news of her departure was announced by the venue on Instagram, with the exciting reveal that Maureen will be playing a Dame in the pantomime. And who better to play a Dame than a Dame herself? It's a perfect fit!
However, her temporary exit from the show has sparked some fears among fans that she may never return. But rest assured, Maureen will be back to give us more of Evelyn's sharp-tongued remarks and hilarious antics.
This won't be the first time Maureen has taken an extended break from the show. Last year, she appeared in the play "Rose" in London's West End, and Evelyn's absence was explained by her taking her daughter Cassie to rehab. So it's likely that her character will also be written out for a few months to accommodate her new role in the pantomime.
In a recent interview, Maureen shared her thoughts on the show's current storylines and reminisced about the early days when her late husband, screenwriter Jack Rosenthal, penned many of the scripts. She expressed her surprise at the dark and heavy themes being portrayed in the show, compared to the simpler and more light-hearted stories of the past.
But despite her departure, Maureen will always have a special place in her heart for the show and its legacy. She fondly remembers the women characters sitting in the snug and having conversations about "Ben-Hur", and she believes that the show has always been a reflection of real-life issues and conversations among people.
As we say goodbye to Dame Maureen on the cobbles, we can't help but feel grateful for the six years of entertainment and laughter she has brought us. We'll miss her sharp wit and no-nonsense attitude, but we can't wait to see what she has in store for us on the stage. And as always, we'll be waiting for her return to the cobbles in 2025.
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