Corrie actress Dame Maureen Lipman rules out retirement

By Neil Wilkes, Editor-in-chief | 2h

Dame Maureen Lipman says that she has no plans to retire in the near future as she 'still loves' acting.

Dame Maureen Lipman has insisted that she has no plans to retire in the near future as she 'still loves' acting.

The veteran star, who turned 75 in May, is enjoying a late renaissance in her career, having joined the cast of Coronation Street in 2018 and quickly becoming a fan favourite as quick-witted Evelyn Plummer.

Lipman is also a regular fixture on one of the other biggest shows on TV, Channel 4's Celebrity Gogglebox, alongside good friend Gyles Brandreth and in a new interview with The Sun, she revealed that she is loving the attention both shows bring.

"I still love acting, I can't wait to get my outfit on and do my work," she told the newspaper. "I like being spotted in the street, even with a mask and a trilby on. I like people saying, 'We love you in Corrie', or 'Why the hell are you in Corrie?' The enthusiasm remains throughout your life.

"I've been doing the Saturday job with Gyles on Gogglebox and that's a completely different kettle of fish. Every week we sit there and look at genitalia, basically, throughout the entire programme. It's not my favourite, but Gyles and I have such a great time.

"I think if you're current - and current means being on television every week, so that's Corrie and Gogglebox - if you're different, then you do get asked to do quite a lot."

On retirement, she added: "Since I became 70, I regularly get asked that. Believe me, the years go bloody fast, and you still feel exactly the same - I don't understand why people don't ask me to go out clubbing with them."

Lipman was given a Damehood in the 2020 Birthday Honours for her services to entertainment, the arts and charity.