Coronation Street star Claire Sweeney has been spotted supporting her castmate Dame Maureen Lipman in a role away from the cobbles, following her own departure from the ITV soap. Sweeney, who plays Cassie Plummer, attended the opening of Lipman's new comedy play, Allegra, in London on Tuesday night.
Sweeney Shows Support for Lipman's Stage Return
Dame Maureen Lipman, known to soap fans as Evelyn Plummer, is currently on sabbatical from Coronation Street. Her character has been written out temporarily, with Evelyn returning to university to study law. Lipman is now starring in Allegra, a comedy about an ageing eccentric who cannot help bursting into song wherever she goes.
Claire Sweeney shared a video of Lipman's final bow on her Instagram Story, alongside co-stars including former Emmerdale actor John Middleton. She wrote: "Went to see Allegra tonight starring the incomparable Dame Maureen Lipman, written by the phenomenal @peterquilter2016. It made me laugh, cry, and everything in between - a joyous, riotous, heartbreaking rollercoaster of emotions. I absolutely loved it. We all have a bit of Allegra in us. Bravo to the wonderful cast @elizabethboweractor @baileypatrick_official Ballegra the play."
Sweeney's Emotional Exit from Coronation Street
The support comes after Sweeney confirmed she had finished filming on Coronation Street. She made her debut as Cassie Plummer in 2023, a drug user who was revealed to be the long-lost mother of Tyrone Dobbs and the estranged daughter of Evelyn. After three years on the cobbles, Sweeney is set to take on the role of Miss Hannigan in the upcoming tour of Annie, replacing Strictly Come Dancing star La Voix from July.
Speaking on Ireland AM, Sweeney confirmed her final scenes have been filmed and described Cassie's departure as "explosive". The actress is now focusing on her stage career, with the Annie tour beginning in Wimbledon on May 23.
