Claire Sweeney to Exit Coronation Street for Annie Role

Claire Sweeney, the actress known for her role as Cassie Plummer on the ITV soap opera Coronation Street, is set to depart the show this summer to take on a lead role in the UK and Ireland tour of the musical Annie.

Sweeney, 54, joined Coronation Street in 2023 as Cassie, the estranged mother of regular character Tyrone Dobbs. Her character quickly became central to several major plots, including efforts to rebuild her relationship with Tyrone after years of separation due to her past struggles with drug addiction. Cassie, the daughter of Evelyn Plummer, arrived in Weatherfield seeking to integrate into Tyrone's family life alongside his partner Fiz Stape and their children. She has since navigated ongoing conflicts, such as a bitter feud with Tracy Barlow and a brief romance with Steve McDonald. In one notable storyline, Cassie attempted to sabotage Ken Barlow by lacing his drinks with drugs to maintain her position as his carer, though the plot was uncovered before any fatal consequences.

An ITV spokesperson confirmed the departure, stating that Cassie will remain on the cobbles until the summer, during which she will continue to feature prominently in Weatherfield. The...