Coronation Street’s Maureen Lipman reveals Evelyn’s future as she confirms break from soap

Coronation Street star Maureen Lipman has addressed her future on the soap after confirming that she’ll be leaving the cobbles – and what Evelyn is getting up to

Dame Maureen Lipman has spoken out about the future of Coronation Street’s Evelyn Plummer after confirming that she’s taking a break from the soap. The 78 year old acting icon joined Corrie in 2018 as Evelyn, the grandmother of Tyrone Dobbs (Alan Halsall), and while she took an extended hiatus from the soap last year, Maureen confirmed in an exclusive chat with OK! that she will be leaving once again.

Speaking about Evelyn’s future on Coronation Street, Maureen said at the Inside Soap Awards: “I don’t know how much I’m allowed to say but Evelyn will be going off to do something interesting and unusual – which is my idea. I don’t know how it will play out but I wish to hell that we could have a spin-off of what happens to her.”

**Maureen Lipman has reassured fans that Evelyn hasn’t “fallen in the Manchester Ship Canal”** (Image: Mike Marsland/WireImage)

As for whether Evelyn could be leaving the soap for good, Maureen reassured fans that she’s sticking around in the long term. “I’m not dying. I haven’t fallen in the Manchester Ship Canal so I will be probably coming back until I’m wheeled off set.”

Revealing the reason for Evelyn’s brief exit, Maureen said that she came up with the storyline. “I had the idea that Evelyn might get so fed up with working in three crappy jobs and not being appreciated – I suggested and [the bosses] liked it,” she said. “She applies to go to university at the age of 78 and that she’s studying law with special emphasis on dogs.

“What a spin-off it would be if she was put in a hall of residence with some 17 year old kid who’s never been off the isle of Orkney and then everybody at university starts dressing like Evelyn!”

**Maureen revealed to OK! that Evelyn is heading off to university after becoming “fed up” with her family**

Outside of the soap, Maureen recently announced that she was engaged to her partner David Turner after going public with their relationship last year. Maureen was previously married to playwright Jack Rosenthal up until his death in 2004, after which she was in a relationship with partner Guido Castro from 2008 until his death in 2021.

Speaking to OK! about her engagement to David, Maureen said: “It came as shock to him and me. It’s just a lovely mad, insane, fantastic thing that happened to both of us and I’ve been very lucky to meet three men who seem to like me and bring me a cup of tea. I wish it for everybody.”

Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 7:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX.