Maureen Lipman has addressed her forthcoming exit from Coronation Street, ahead of her on-screen departure in the coming weeks.
It was confirmed earlier this year that she will take a break from her role as Evelyn Plummer in the ITV soap to take part in a pantomime.
The actress has insisted the character will not be killed off, with bosses leaving the door open for her return.
Speaking to Digital Spy, Maureen said: ‘Well the idea is that I don’t get killed off, battered or thrown into Manchester Ship Canal.
‘But I just step back – something happens to me and I go off, but always with the option that I can come back.
‘Because you don’t want to lose… I don’t want to lose Evelyn!’
Maureen said she still ‘loves’ working on the show, but added: ‘Sometimes the scripts are wonderful and sometimes they’re fine but Evelyn always comes out with the right quip at the right time.’
Following the announcement of her temporary departure earlier this year, Maureen later claimed to have signed a contract to ‘do another year’ on the cobbles.
Speaking to Alan Titchmarsh on his Love Your Weekend show in August, she said: ‘I have been signed up to do another year, yes,’ she said. ‘It’s good for you, it keeps you on your metal, my goodness me.’
FROM ITV STRICT EMBARGO – No Use Before Tuesday 2nd April 2024 Coronation Street – Ep 1123839 Friday 12th April 2024 As Roy Cropper [DAVID NEILSON] and Evelyn Plummer [MAUREEN LIPMAN] head out with Freddie, they come face to face with Alice [HANNAH ALMOND] who starts filming them and as Roy tries to stop her, she stumbles and bangs her head. Accusing him of assault, Alice hurries away. Picture contact – [email protected] Photographer – Danielle Baguley This photograph is (C) ITV and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms
A Coronation Street spokesperson previously confirmed to Metro: ‘Dame Maureen is taking a sabbatical from Coronation Street towards the end of the year.
‘We look forward to seeing her back on the cobbles in 2025.’
Mauren, who previously played Rovers Return relief manager Lilian Spencer, joined the Corrie cast as Evelyn in 2018.
Fans saw the character reconnect with her estranged grandson and later joined him at his family home at No. 9, before she was reunited with long-lost daughter Cassie Plummer (Claire Sweeney).
