Coronation Street actress Claire Sweeney has confirmed she is leaving the ITV soap to star as Miss Hannigan in the Annie musical tour starting July 2026, leaving her on-screen son visibly emotional.
Alan Halsall has shared his emotional reaction to the news that his on-screen mother, Claire Sweeney, is leaving Coronation Street. After a three-year run on the soap, Claire is saying goodbye and has already lined up a new role.
Claire joined the Corrie cast in 2023 as Cassandra Plummer, the estranged mother of Alan’s character, Tyrone Dobbs. She recently announced she is returning to musical theatre, taking on the role of Miss Hannigan in Annie.
An ITV spokesperson commented: “Cassie will remain on the cobbles until the summer, continuing to make her presence felt in Weatherfield as she heads toward a memorable exit storyline.”
Reacting to her departure, Alan commented on Claire’s Instagram post showcasing her new role. Responding to a video of Claire all glammed up as the mischievous orphanage manager, he wrote: “Mummmm…?” according to the Mirror.
The caption of Claire Sweeney’s post revealed more about her upcoming stage return. It read: “Someone pinch us please… @Claire.Sweeney is Miss Hannigan!
“Don’t miss Claire as our Mother of the Year from 7th July 2026! Tickets are on sale now — see you on Easy Street.”
The Annie tour begins in May, with Strictly star La Voix playing Miss Hannigan for the opening dates at the New Wimbledon Theatre, as well as shows in Birmingham, Manchester, Plymouth, and Canterbury.
Claire will take over the role for the tour’s later dates, performing in cities including Cardiff, Newcastle, Belfast, Oxford, and Glasgow.
Claire already has extensive theatre experience, having appeared in productions of Chicago, Tell Me On A Sunday, 9 To 5, Hairspray, and Legally Blonde. On television, she earned a leading role in Brookside and made a memorable appearance on Celebrity Big Brother.
Playing Cassandra on Coronation Street, Claire has been at the center of numerous major storylines. Before her arrival, her mother, Evelyn Plummer (Maureen Lipman), believed she had died from a heroin overdose.
Cassie had previously abandoned Tyrone at a railway station while struggling with her drug addiction. Years later, when she returned to his life, she vowed to stay sober.
However, last year it was revealed that she had been stealing from Ken Barlow (William Roache) and had even drugged him to keep him dependent on her. After her actions came to light, Tyrone disowned her.
Their relationship was eventually repaired after Evelyn persuaded him not to completely give up on her.
Alan Halsall has been part of Coronation Street since 1998, first appearing as Jackie Dobbs’ troublesome son. He only learned in 2018, after Jackie’s death, that she was not his biological mother. Tyrone’s major storylines have often revolved around his romantic life, including his ill-fated marriage to Molly Compton (Vicky Binns) and enduring domestic abuse at the hands of his fiancée, Kirsty Soames (Natalie Gumede).
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