Editorial use only Mandatory Credit: Photo by ITV/REX/Shutterstock (1682388f) Eileen Grimshaw [Sue Cleaver] not keen on showing new employee Beth [Lisa George] the ropes. 'Coronation Street' TV Programme - Jan 2012
Eileen is said to be returning sooner than we thought (Picture: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Coronation Street has hinted that Eileen Grimshaw (Sue Cleaver) is on her way back to Weatherfield. 

The character has been absent from screens since June after actress Sue Cleaver took an extended break from the ITV soap to star as Mother Superior in a touring production of Sister Act. 

Her temporary exit came as Eileen received horrifying news about son Jason Grimshaw (Ryan Thomas) after he was injured in a motorbike accident and she jetted off to look after him. 

There was an update during Wednesday’s episode, however, that could pave the way for Eileen to finally return home. 

One scene saw her boyfriend George Shuttleworth (Tony Maudsley) tell her son Todd Grimshaw (Gareth Pierce) that Jason was finally on the mend and had recovered quicker then expected. 

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Jason has not been seen on Coronation Street since 2016 after actor Ryan Thomas quit his role as the Weatherfield builder after 16 years. 

Since leaving the soap, Ryan has appeared on numerous reality shows, including Celebrity MasterChef, the 2018 series Celebrity Big Brother and the 2024 series of Dancing on Ice, both of which he won.

Meanwhile, Sue’s appearance in Sister Act marked her first stage role in 30 years. 

Ryan Thomas attends the BRIT Awards 2024 at The O2 Arena
Ryan Thomas played Jason Grimshaw for 16 years (Picture: ITV)

She has since finished in the show and has been replaced by former Corrie co-star Wendy Peters, better known as Cilla Battersby. 

Speaking to OK! Magazine about the role, Sue said: ‘I’ve finished Sister Act but I’m missing everybody hugely. I had the most wonderful time doing that show – I hadn’t been on stage for 30 years. I just thought “I’m going to embrace this, I’m going to do it”. Even though I was scared and even though it was the unknown, I thought “nope, this is fabulous. Let’s just go for this” and I did.

‘I had the most amazing time. We played to full houses everywhere and had standing ovations. I will miss everybody hugely but you’ve got to finish one thing to start the next thing.’

The actress, who joined the cast of Corrie in 2000, has also become a regular on the Loose Women panel. 

Sue also took a break from the soap in 2022 when she entered the I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! jungle. 

Coronation Street airs Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8pm on ITV1 on ITVX.

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