Coronation Street's Claire Sweeney has shared a major update about her future on the ITV soap. The actress joined the show last year as Tyrone Dobbs' real mum and Evelyn Plummer's daughter.
The estranged family member made quite a stir since her entrance. Her addiction storyline saw her family members torn apart, with further tensions between her and mum Evelyn after learning she was hidden from her son Tyrone.
Things reached a heartbreaking climax according to Manchester Evening News, as Evelyn emotionally admitted that Tyrone believes his mum was dead. Cassie later became part of the family fold and eventually fixed herself up.
Claire has now shared the delightful news she has signed a contract for another year at the ITV soap. The 53-year-old told Cheshire Life Magazine: "I’ve just signed my contract for another year in Corrie and I’m really happy to fully invest all my time and energy into Cassie and see what develops.
"I couldn’t be happier about the acting scenes I have done recently in Coronation Street with Dame Maureen Lipman in the Rovers, and with Alan Halsall and Jennie McAlpine in the Dobbs household."
Reflecting on first joining the soap, Claire continued: "When I first came in to Corrie, I did a 14-page scene with Maureen while my character was in hospital. Playing opposite such a phenomenal actor was a dream come true. The writing and direction for that episode was amazing. That is definitely one of my highlights."
It comes as Claire appears to have gone 'official' with former boxing star Ricky Hatton. The pair first met having sparked up a chemistry on Dancing On Ice earlier this year.
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They had been enjoying a string of cosy date nights, before taking to the red carpet together over the weekend. Both Claire and Ricky looked smitten in the photographs as they beamed for the cameras at Co-op Live in Manchester on Saturday.
Claire uploaded affectionate selfies of her and Ricky at the event and added the caption: "Great night watching @officialrickastley @coopuk new arena with @rickymanhatton," paired with a red heart icon.
Ricky echoed these sentiments, stating he'd enjoyed a "great night" alongside Claire, with snippets of their fun evening out. The boxing professional is reportedly 'besotted' with his new partner, and the affection appears to be mutual, an insider claims.
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"Claire's been very unlucky in the past with her love life but she's really happy with Ricky. He's got a kind heart and really makes her laugh. That's the way to Claire's heart really, making her laugh and she's been nothing but smiles since meeting Ricky," the insider revealed to OK!
"It's a very unlikely pairing but they've both realised that they actually have so much in common and both really love each other's company and they're laughing all the time."
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