Dame Maureen Lipman has confirmed her future at Coronation Street, sharing that she has signed a contract to ‘do another year’ on the ITV soap.

The actress, 78, who plays Evelyn Plummer, shared the good news with Alan Titchmarsh on his Love Your Weekend show earlier in the year.

Presenter Alan asked about the star’s future on the show, with Maureen responding by confirming that she’s not going anywhere.

‘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.’

Maureen discussed acting in general and added that she still finds the industry ‘completely fascinating’.

‘I don’t get bored with this business and I don’t suppose you do either,’ she added, with Alan in total agreement as he branded the business ‘stimulating’.

Mauren, who previously played Rovers Return relief manager Lilian Spencer in 2002, re-joined the cast in a new role as Evelyn in 2018.

Since her debut, Evelyn has become a fan-favourite with audiences and has featured in many a storyline. The character reconnected with her estranged grandson and later joined him at his family home at No. 9.

In more recent years, she has reunited with long-lost daughter Cassie Plummer (Claire Sweeney) and form a compelling friendship with Roy Cropper (David Neilson).

News that Maureen is staying put will no doubt come as a relief to fans after it was confirmed earlier this year that she will take a break from the cobbles later this year to take part in a pantomime.

When approached for comment, a Coronation Street spokesperson confirmed to Metro.co.uk: ‘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.’

Once married to the late Jack Rosenthal, a prolific screenwriter who penned over 130 episodes of the soap in it’s formative years, Maureen announced her engagement to partner David Turner in September.

This article was originally published on 26th August 2024.