Corrie’s Maureen Lipman confirms break from ITV soap and teases huge scenes for Evelyn

Gearing up for another exit from Weatherfield, Dame Maureen Lipman had huge hopes for her character.

She has revealed details about her ITV alter ego’s future on Coronation Street after confirming a hiatus from the iconic soap. Joining in 2018 as Evelyn, Tyrone Dobbs’ grandmother played by Alan Halsall, Maureen had previously taken a break last year.

While at the Inside Soap Awards, Maureen hinted about Evelyn’s upcoming storyline: “I don’t know how much I’m allowed to say but Evelyn will be going off to do something interesting and unusual – which is my idea. I don’t know how it will play out but I wish to hell that we could have a spin-off of what happens to her.”

She then dispelled any rumours of Evelyn leaving forever, assuring fans of her intent to stay: “I’m not dying. I haven’t fallen in the Manchester Ship Canal so I will be probably coming back until I’m wheeled off set.”

During her chat with OK! Magazine, Maureen also shared how she influenced the plot for Evelyn’s temporary exit: “I had the idea that Evelyn might get so fed up with working in three crappy jobs and not being appreciated I suggested and [the bosses] liked it,” Maureen recalled. “She applies to go to university at the age of 78 and that she’s studying law with special emphasis on dogs.”

“What a spin-off it would be if she was put in a hall of residence with some 17 year old kid who’s never been off the isle of Orkney and then everybody at university starts dressing like Evelyn!”

Away from the soap, Maureen recently revealed her engagement to her partner David Turner, after they made their relationship public last year. Maureen was previously wedded to playwright Jack Rosenthal until his passing in 2004, and later had a relationship with Guido Castro from 2008 until his demise in 2021.

In a chat with OK! about her engagement to David, Maureen expressed: “It came as shock to him and me. It’s just a lovely mad, insane, fantastic thing that happened to both of us and I’ve been very lucky to meet three men who seem to like me and bring me a cup of tea. I wish it for everybody.”

On Monday, Evelyn’s grandson Tyrone (Alan Halsall) discovered that his wife Fiz Dobbs (Jennie McAlpine) was pregnant with their first child. But with Hope and Ruby at home, their financial situation sparked concern and Fiz made the decision on Wednesday’s (October 2) instalment of the Manchester-based drama that having an abortion could be their best option.