Cassie Plummer (Claire Sweeney) was an absolute mess back when she was first introduced in Coronation Street.
Deep within the grips of a drug addiction, she tracked her mum, Evelyn Plummer (Maureen Lipman), to Weatherfield, the home of the son she’d had taken from her as a teenager: Tyrone Dobbs (Alan Halsall).
After an overdose left her in a critical state, Evelyn ensured Cassie went to rehab, and afterward, they rented a flat together at the precinct. Though Evelyn was determined that Cassie not reveal the truth to Tyrone until she could be sure she wouldn’t turn back to drugs, it proved impossible and she told him she was his mum.
As mother and son attempted to make up for lost time, Cassie’s dark side re-emerged when she began caring for Ken Barlow (William Roache). Desperate for him to remain dependent on her, she laced his tea with antihistamines while stealing from him.
When he confronted her, he suffered a heart attack, and she found herself a pariah of the local community for targeting the elderly legend, despite her genuine guilt. Kicked out by Tyrone, Evelyn returned from university to, once again, sort her out.
Sleeping rough and with a vengeful and bloodthirsty Tracy Barlow (Kate Ford) attempting to bring on a relapse, Cassie was at her lowest ebb, until Evelyn ensured a reunion between her and Tyrone, and she began to fall for Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson).
Claire announced her exit from Coronation Street in January to facilitate a return to musical theatre, with her undertaking the role of Miss Hannigan in the UK tour of Annie, while last week, she confirmed that she’d filmed her final scenes.
But could we possibly see Cassie come back? Would Claire return?
‘If the stars aligned, I’d definitely come back. Why wouldn’t I? Miss Hannigan is my dream role, but I’ve absolutely loved being at Coronation Street too!’
The saddest part of her exit, according to Claire, is not getting the chance to become Steve McDonald’s eighth wife!
‘I feel cheated! I’d have loved to have married him. Si is a joy to work with. I remember saying to him really excitedly ‘oh God! Imagine if we get married!’ But he just rolled his eyes and said ‘not again.’ I felt really pushed out!’ she joked.
Teasing her exit story, which has been promised to be ‘explosive’, Claire told The Mirror: ‘She’d finally got the stability and the family life she’d been craving. And Ross comes in and he totally turns her son’s head.’
Ross is Tyrone’s dad, who impregnated her when she was a teenage prostitute trying to fund her drug habit.
‘It took her long enough to be accepted. She knows that Ross is a wrong ‘un and she knows the impact he will have, not only on her and her security, but also on everyone around her.
‘She knows what he’s about. He’s dangerous, but people don’t see it, because he’s very good at covering it up.
‘She’s in love with Steve McDonald and Ross is opening a can of worms that she doesn’t want Steve, Tyrone or anyone on the cobbles knowing about.
‘She’s started to be liked and to be accepted, so it’s really sad. But it’s the most fantastic exit storyline, I couldn’t have wished for more.’
How does Claire feel about leaving the cobbles? ‘You’re part of a family at Coronation Street, you feel safe and protected and leaving is like stepping out into the big, wide world again.
‘It feels like I’ve broken up with a boyfriend I’m still in love with. I’ve loved Corrie and leaving bears no reflection on the job, the people and the work.
‘It was just that my phone pinged and it was the producer of Annie saying ‘right, do you want to do Miss Hannigan.’ I’d been hounding him for years for this part and I just thought – ‘if I don’t do it now, it might never come again.
‘But I think it’s the hardest job I’ve ever had to leave and my exit is very sad; I had a little weep over my leaving scenes. I got quite emotional.’
While fans will remember Cassie for years to come, Claire took something a bit more tangible as a memento of her street stint: Cassie’s trainers.
‘I always like to nick something from a job. When I was in the West End in Guys and Dolls, I nicked my pink frilly knickers! So, I’ve taken my very battered trainers from my first scene as Cassie.’
