DAME IS DONE: Maureen Lipman’s Coronation Street
Exit Storyline Confirmed as Evelyn Plummer
Makes Announcement to Grandson
Maureen Lipman’s exit from Coronation Street has finally been confirmed, with her character, Evelyn Plummer, preparing to leave Weatherfield after years of causing a stir. The beloved actress, who has played the sharp-tongued Evelyn since 2018, will soon be departing the show for a while, though her exit won’t be permanent.
In a poignant moment on-screen, Evelyn sits down with her grandson Tyrone (Alan Halsall) at number nine, delivering a heartfelt announcement about her plans. Evelyn, who has been feeling the weight of her recent decisions and new responsibilities, tells Tyrone that she is planning to move away from Weatherfield to focus on her education. After enrolling in a law course at Manchester University, Evelyn struggles to juggle her new academic responsibilities, especially with her home life, which has become increasingly chaotic due to her granddaughter Hope (Isabella Flanagan).
Earlier in December, Maureen Lipman, 78, revealed that she would be taking a break from the soap. She told The Sun, “I’ll be absent for a while, and then coming back. I’m not going to die, but I’ll be in and out of it because I want to have a bit of a life.” While the veteran actress confirmed her departure as a full-time cast member, her exit is only temporary, and she will return for future storylines.
In the most recent episodes, viewers watched as Evelyn faced mounting pressure from the workload involved in her new course. Despite her initial excitement about pursuing law, Evelyn finds herself overwhelmed by the endless administration that comes with university life. Roy (Neilson) had suggested that she take up the course as a way to inject some purpose into her life, but it’s become evident that balancing her studies with her family commitments is no easy task.
Her decision to move out of the family home comes after she realizes she can’t concentrate with so many distractions around her. Hope’s antics make it hard for Evelyn to focus, so she decides that the best solution is to move into university halls, where she hopes to find a quieter, more focused environment to dedicate herself to her studies.
When Evelyn reveals this to Tyrone, he is shocked by the news. Tyrone, who has always been close to his grandmother, expresses his concerns about her moving in with students. He worries about the late-night parties, loud music, and potentially dangerous situations. Despite his worries, Evelyn reassures him that things haven’t exactly been smooth sailing under the same roof, and the two share an emotional moment as they discuss her decision.
Tyrone, visibly upset, tells Evelyn that he will miss her presence in the house, and the sentiment leaves Evelyn teary-eyed. While her decision to leave is difficult, Evelyn assures him that she won’t be far. She’s only moving a few miles away, so her return to Weatherfield is very much on the cards. This opens the door for Evelyn to make future appearances, much to the delight of fans who have grown fond of her blunt humor and tough-love approach.
Evelyn’s exit storyline marks a bittersweet turning point for both her character and the show. As she embarks on this new chapter of her life, her departure will give her character space to evolve, while allowing Maureen Lipman to take a well-earned break. The soap has teased that Evelyn’s storyline won’t end with her exit, and fans can look forward to her return as she continues her journey off-screen.
As Coronation Street continues to evolve, this exit serves as another sign of the changing landscape of Weatherfield, with characters like Evelyn moving on to new adventures, while also leaving the door open for future returns. Fans will no doubt be eagerly awaiting Evelyn’s eventual comeback as she continues to carve out her path, both in law and in her personal life.
