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There has been many departures announced from Coronation Street in recent weeks and now one of Corrie’s mainstays has said that she is taking a break from the ITV soap, with the cast fearful that she won’t ever return.
Eileen Derbyshire, 84, has been playing Emily Bishop in the popular soap since 1961 and is the show’s longest-running female character. She has said that she will be taking time out from the soap next year and whilst it is for an initial six months, there is a growing feeling that she may not come back.
A source told the Sun: “Eileen asked for a few months off from filming and she is due to leave early in the New Year. She is obviously a big loss to the show, even if it really is temporary, because she’s one of the most recognisable characters on the cobbles. And so many other popular cast members are heading for the door.
Eileen is set to take a temporary break from filming next year in a storyline that sees Emily visit nephew Spider in South America, but the actress will be returning. Eileen is the latest in a line of stars taking a break from the show. Brooke Vincent (Sophie Webster), Alison King (Carla Connor) and David Neilson (Roy Cropper) will also be taking time out.