After 25 remarkable years on Coronation Street, Eileen Grimshaw is set to bid farewell to Weatherfield — but thankfully, she won’t be going out in handcuffs. The beloved character’s exit had sparked speculation among fans, particularly around whether she might meet a tragic or dramatic end. Now, actress Sue Cleaver has cleared the air, offering insight into what viewers can expect from her character’s final chapter.

The groundwork for Eileen’s departure was laid in recent episodes, when her half-sister Julie Carp returned unexpectedly with heartbreaking news: she was terminally ill. Julie’s reappearance stirred up complicated emotions, forcing Eileen to confront unresolved tensions and painful memories. Sadly, Julie passed away shortly after returning, leaving Eileen grieving and overwhelmed.

But the story took a dramatic twist — Eileen found herself wrongly implicated in Julie’s death, caught in the crosshairs of suspicion. As the police began investigating, fears grew that Eileen could face criminal charges, with the very real possibility of her ending up behind bars. For longtime fans of the show, it was an unthinkable way for a cornerstone character to exit.

Fortunately, that won’t be the case. In an interview with The Mirror, Sue Cleaver confirmed that Eileen will not go to prison. On the contrary, the producers have given her the chance to leave the cobbles with a dignified and heartfelt goodbye. “There was always the risk they might kill me off,” Cleaver admitted, “but they were incredibly supportive. They said, ‘Eileen’s a big part of the show.’”

When asked how she wanted her character’s exit to unfold, Cleaver said she specifically requested a happy ending. “I didn’t want to call it a day in a definitive way, because I love the place. I asked for a positive send-off. The journey Eileen takes is actually quite similar to what I’m doing in real life.”

Cleaver also revealed that her decision to leave wasn’t sudden. In fact, she’d been contemplating the move for the past four years, taking her time to consider when and how she wanted to say goodbye. “There’s been a lot of planning and preparation,” she said. “But it definitely feels right now. It’s an exciting time for me — I’m not afraid of what’s next.”

She added that the hardest part wasn’t moving on, but rather making the decision to do so. “Once I made the choice, I knew it was the right one.”

Eileen’s departure comes at a time of major change on Coronation Street, with several other high-profile exits either recently aired or upcoming. Helen Worth, Paddy Bever, Shelley King, and Charlotte Jordan have all announced their departures, and Sue Devaney (Debbie Webster) and Colson Smith (Craig Tinker) are expected to leave soon. Cleaver’s exit, therefore, is part of a larger wave of transformations within the show, as it navigates a period of renewal.

As for Eileen’s storyline, fans can expect closure rather than chaos. She won’t be killed off, imprisoned, or forgotten. Instead, her character will likely reflect on the past, rebuild after Julie’s death, and ultimately choose to leave Weatherfield in search of peace and purpose. The exit will be emotional but empowering — a graceful end that honors her character’s complexity and resilience.

In many ways, it mirrors Cleaver’s own journey. Like Eileen, she’s stepping away not in sorrow, but with clarity and confidence. After decades spent portraying one of the show’s most grounded and relatable characters, she leaves behind a legacy of strength, wit, and heart.

For longtime viewers, it will be a bittersweet moment. Eileen Grimshaw has been part of Coronation Street’s fabric for a generation — a character who navigated love, loss, and laughter with quiet courage. Now, as she takes her final steps away from the cobbled streets, she does so on her own terms.

Ultimately, this isn’t a tragic farewell — it’s a celebration. A chance for Eileen, and Sue Cleaver, to walk away with their heads held high.