Inside Sue Cleaver’s life with ITV colleague husband as she announces Coronation Street exit
It was recently announced Coronation Street’s Sue Cleaver is one of the many ITV stars departing from the soap.
The Eileen Grimshaw star, 59, has played her role in the hit ITV soap since the year 2000, but will soon say goodbye to the show.
Not a spotlight-seeker, Sue has previously said of her personal life: ‘I do keep my life private and I am very happy with my home life.’
But for anyone wondering, who is Sue’s husband, and what has she said about him?
And does she have any kids?
Who is Sue Cleaver’s husband?
Sue is married to Brian Owen, a lighting technician for ITV.
The couple met on Coronation Street, and left their previous relationships to be together in the early 2000s.
They’ve been together ever since.
As of 2019, it seems the pair still work together on the Corrie set, too – as Sue revealed during a segment on This Morning, where she discussed her terrifying battle with sepsis.
She said at the time: ‘My husband, who also works on Corrie, he was on a night shoot and he had to ring me.
‘He said to his colleagues – something’s not right, I can’t hear what she’s saying because her teeth are chattering so much… He rang our daughter-in-law who’s a paramedic and she said, ‘Get her to hospital’.’
The couple share a pup named George Paws, who often features on Sue’s Instagram. Sadly, in October last year, the star confirmed the beloved pooch had died.
Previously, Sue was married to actor James Quinn from 1993 to 2003, who she met in 1991.
Fans might recognise James from roles in soaps including Corrie (as D.S. Willetts), Emmerdale, Hollyoaks, and Doctors, as well as TV series Early Doors and 2017 film Apostasy.
The exes appear to get along well, and even put on a play together in 2009 – called Marriages Made In Heaven.
James told Manchester Evening News at the time: ‘It’s quite funny to be doing this with Sue. Although we got divorced, we get on well, but we haven’t acted together on stage since we first met in a play in 1991.’
Does Sue Cleaver have children?
Sue has one son, Elliott Quinn, reportedly born in 1998, who she shares with ex-husband James.
We don’t know much about Elliott, though he did appear at the 2018 British Soap Awards for a rare walk down the red carpet with his mum – though it seems he’s now a parent himself.
Yep, Sue is also a grandma!
She recently took Instagram to reveal she’d become a grandmother for the fourth time, in fact – with a few heart emojis alongside an adorable snap of the newborn baby.
It’s not entirely clear how many children her husband, Brian, has from previous relationships.
Why is Sue leaving Coronation Street?
Sue is saying goodbye to Coronation Street as she now wants to ’embrace change’.
Speaking about her time on the cobbles, Sue said: ‘I’ve had 25 privileged years of working on Coronation Street.’
Coronation Street cast exits – who is going?
Sue Devaney as Debbie Webster
Fans have been left distraught at news of Debbie’s upcoming departure, with the character being written out as part of a storyline focusing on dementia.
A source told Metro: ‘It’s one of the show’s biggest storylines of the year, and a real chance for Sue to finally get her time in the spotlight – it will just be devastating for fans that it will effectively be her final storyline.
‘It’s one of many major storylines new boss Kate Brooks has in the bag, and there will not be a dry eye in the house.
‘There is no doubt in the Corrie family that she will give the performance of a lifetime and make Debbie’s exit one to remember for years.’
Sue Cleaver as Eileen Grimshaw
Loose Women and I’m A Celebrity star Sue has been central to the show for two and a half decades but now she will be saying goodbye.
She confirmed: ‘I’ve had 25 privileged years of working on Coronation Street.’
‘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.’
Colson Smith as Craig Tinker
After 14 years, Corrie has decided to also write out police officer Craig, with the actor sharing his love for the show on social media following the decision, delivered to him last year.
He said: ‘I’ve loved every single second of my 14-year stay as a resident on the greatest street in the world. I feel incredibly lucky to have grown up in, on and around Coronation Street.
‘I’ve learnt pretty much everything about life from the people who call it home. I’m excited to play out the exit story for our Craigy. For me, this is just the end of the beginning.
‘I genuinely can’t wait to see what chapter 2 has in store for me. Long live the cobbles!’
Charlotte Jordan as Daisy Midgeley
After a very busy four years on the show, Daisy is set to leave as part of a currently to-secret explosive storyline, with Charlotte keen to try other projects.
She said in a statement: ‘My time at Coronation Street is something I’ll always cherish.
‘After a brilliant four years for Daisy, it’s time for me to start a new chapter and explore other opportunities.
‘It’s been a privilege to be part of a wonderful institution with even more wonderful colleagues who have taught me so much.
‘After a brilliant four years for Daisy it’s time for me to start a new chapter and explore other opportunities.’
Helen Worth as Gail Platt
Fans were left reeling when Helen announced her retirement after half a century, with Gail marrying Jesse Chapman (John Thomson) on Christmas Day and bidding her family farewell.
She said: ‘I made the decision at the start of the year and spoke to the producers who were very kind and understanding.
‘I have been truly blessed to have been given the most incredible scripts week in week out, and to have worked with fantastic actors, directors and a brilliant crew.
‘The past 50 years have flown by and I don’t think the fact that I am leaving has quite sunk in yet.’
Luca Toolan as Mason Radcliffe
There wasn’t a dry eye in the UK in the new year when Corrie shocked fans by killing off Mason as part of a knife crime storyline.
Addressing the decision to write out the character, Luca said: ‘When I first heard there was a mixture of emotions because I was sad that Mason was going to die and that means I would be leaving, but equally I was really excited and honoured to be part of this storyline because it’s an incredibly important issue that needs to be tackled.
‘I feel so privileged to have had this opportunity to start my professional career at Coronation Street and what a great time I’ve had.’
‘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,’ Sue added.
It is understood that she made the decision in the summer, after her appearance in the Sister Act musical tour. She returned to the stage for the first time in about three decades.
Sue will bow out later this year as her exit storyline – which involves Eileen’s sister Julie – airs in spring.