For 25 years Eileen Grimshaw (Sue Cleaver) has been a fixture in Coronation Street.
The popular character has been through a huge amount of drama in that time, including raising two sons, being mother hen to numerous lodgers at number 11, enjoying/enduring a rivalry with Gail Platt (Helen Worth) and being married to a killer.
But with Sue Cleaver having taken the decision to ‘Embrace change, look for new adventures and live fearlessly’ by moving on from the soap, Eileen’s exit is fast approaching.
Her final storyline saw the return of Katy Cavanagh as Eileen’s sister Julie Carp. It was soon revealed that Julie was dealing with a terminal illness and didn’t have long to live, and viewers have recently seen the sad scenes where Eileen returned to her sister with a cup of tea while they were on a day out to a beauty spot, only to find that Julie had died while she was gone.
Julie’s funeral brought another returnee in the form of Ryan Thomas as Eileen’s son Jason. And in upcoming episodes we’ll see Jason make Eileen a tempting offer.
He’s been living in Thailand since he left Weatherfield, and he suggests that Eileen could come back with him and be his business partner.
Eileen’s immediate reaction is that her partner, George Shuttleworth (Tony Maudsley), would never want to move to Thailand. Eileen has been struggling with her feelings for George recently, at one moment not sure she loves him but the next moment saying that she wants her future to be with him.
Julie certainly thought that Eileen was selling herself short by settling for a relationship with George.
But it seems that her decision about whether to accept Jason’s offer hinges on George and he surprises her, saying that he’s prepared to move his life to the other side of the world to be with her.
In fact he’s booked them a holiday to Thailand – leaving the very next day – so they can see if life there would suit them.
Eileen’s other son, Todd (Gareth Pierce) has recently embarked on a relationship with a man called Theo (James Cartwright), who’s been struggling with his sexuality.
Theo’s daughter Millie has been staying at Eileen’s briefly, and when she has to go home she tells Theo she wants him to move beck in with her and her mum.
Theo replies that he wants to be with Todd and can’t live a lie any more. His words give Eileen cause to reflect again about her feelings for George and whether she’s settling for a relationship she’s not really feeling.
After thinking things through, Eileen breaks the news to her beloved friends at the cab office, Steve (Simon Gregson) and Tim (Joe Duttine), that she’s made her decision.
She’s going to accept Jason’s offer and invest in his bar, moving permanently to Thailand.
So we’ll definitely be saying goodbye to Eileen and Jason as they head off together for new adventures – but will George be joining them?
