Coronation Street icon Sue Cleaver has opened up about how she helped bring back a beloved character to the cobbles — nine years after their departure. As 2025 kicked off with the emotional news that Cleaver would be stepping away from her role as Eileen Grimshaw, fans were left heartbroken. Having portrayed Eileen for an incredible 25 years, Cleaver revealed that her decision to leave stemmed from a desire to “embrace change” and explore new chapters in her life. Eileen’s exit storyline has already taken a dramatic turn, beginning with the surprise return of her sister, Julie Carp — played by Katy Cavanagh — who hasn’t been seen in Weatherfield since 2015. But that’s not all. In a twist that promises more emotional reunions and family drama, another member of the Grimshaw family is set to return to the Street very soon, thanks in part to Cleaver’s behind-the-scenes efforts to reunite the iconic clan one last time.

Speaking on ITV’s Off Script podcast, Cleaver revealed how she orchestrated Ryan Thomas’ return as Eileen’s son Jason Grimshaw, who was last seen on the soap in 2016.

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“I rang Ryan Thomas and I said, ‘Ryan, I’ve not told work yet but I’m gonna leave. Would you come back? I’d really like you to take me out’,” she told hosts Kelvin and Liz Fletcher.

“He said, ‘I wasn’t planning to but I can’t refuse that, can I?’ I said, ‘No, you can’t!'” she added.

“It just felt really right that he was there.”

Kelvin then shared that he had spoken to Thomas about his return, claiming the latter “felt so honoured and privileged to be a part of [Cleaver’s exit]”.

Cleaver agreed: “It was lovely having him there. He’s not changed at all.”

ITV

Sharing more about her upcoming departure, she added: “I’d been thinking about it for quite a long time… I believe you have to step outside of your comfort zone… you are never too old for new challenges.”

She went on to describe her final scene as “lovely” but “emotional”, adding: “I can’t give anything away, but it’s absolutely fabulous. [The writers] really did me proud.

“When I read it and saw it, I was really emotional. It’s the perfect ending. It is everything that I wanted.”

Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 and streams on ITVX.