Corrie icon Sue Cleaver on struggle with health as she says ‘I don’t know if I’m going to make it’
Coronation Street legend Sue Cleaver, famed for her role as Eileen Grimshaw, has opened up about the daily struggles she endures due to her Type 2 diabetes, a condition she’s been managing for two decades.
Juggling her acting with regular appearances on Loose Women, Sue admits that her health woes can sometimes throw a spanner in the works, especially during live TV gigs.
The seasoned actress, 61, shared: “I think there is a lot of misunderstanding around diabetes, people tell you can’t eat chocolate or sugar – but where I struggle with my diabetes is when I’m about to go on stage or when I’m about to go on Loose Women or live shows.”
Corrie have reportedly left the door open for Sue to return in the future(Image: ITV)
She elaborated: “Before I go on I’d have to prick my finger and check if my sugar is stable enough to get me to the interval or do I need to eat.”
Sue explained the precarious balance she faces: “If I’m about to go on stage or live shows and I don’t know if I’m going to make it if my sugars aren’t stable enough, and I don’t have time to prick my finger, you tend to think ‘let me eat this thing now’ and then you tend to feel the effects of it later or the middle of the show.”
But it’s the Dexcom ONE+ continuous glucose monitor that’s been a game-changer for her, providing peace of mind by allowing her to keep tabs on her sugar levels via her phone, thus easing her pre-show jitters, reports Leicestershire Live.
Sue Cleaver shared an update on her health(Image: Getty)
“I don’t have that worry now if I’m on Loose Women or on stage, or if I’m going to get to the interval, I just glance at my phone, it makes all the difference,” she remarked.
The actress has gained newfound confidence and tranquillity in managing her Type 2 diabetes, as reported by the Express.
After an epic 25 years gracing the ITV cobbles, Sue bid a heartfelt goodbye to Coronation Street.
Her character was central to gripping narratives, including a plot where her on-screen son Todd fathered a child with Sarah Louise Platt during his younger years.
Upon announcing her exit from the enduring soap, Sue reflected: “I’ve had 25 privileged years of working on Coronation Street.”
While she’s left the possibility of returning open, Sue revealed that hitting the milestone age of 60 spurred her to chase fresh experiences and live boldly, saying: “The door is still firmly open but as I reached my 60th year, I decided it was time to embrace change, look for new adventures and live fearlessly.”