Coronation Street star Claire Sweeney has ditched the UK as she reportedly takes a ‘short break’ away from the cobbles. The actress joined the ITV soap last year, making her debut in June 2023 as Cassie Plummer.

Viewers saw Cassie for the first time after she tracked down her mum to the street but when Evelyn spotted her, she ignored her. But later, Evelyn received a call and was seen hurrying into A&E reception, explaining that her daughter had been admitted as an emergency after she overdosed.

Later, a confrontation between mother and daughter reaches a heart-breaking climax when Evelyn emotionally confesses that Tyrone thinks his mum is dead. Cassie later revealed her identity to Tyrone and has since made herself part of his and his children’s lives.

Claire, 53, then revealed earlier this year how she had signed up to spend another year in Weatherfield. The former Brookside star 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.”

But the former Brookside favourite has reportedly stepped away from the famous cobbles for a week to fly to Malta for a filming trip. Claire headed off before the weekend as she is reprising her role as entertainment manager Beverley Carnell in Channel 5’s murder mystery series The Good Ship Murder.

And Claire has shared some snaps of herself enjoying some time in Malta on Instagram. The mum-of-one could be seen posing for the camera with some of the skyline and boats on the water behind her. She looked fabulous as she sported a patterned jumpsuit with her tresses curled and her eyes covered by her sunglasses.

While she didn’t caption the snap, many of her 163,000 followers were quick to respond. @juliedawnjohnston320 said: “Love your jumpsuit. Love all your clothes, you should do a clothing range.” @hellbelle12 commented: “Looking gorgeous @claire.sweeney.”