Coronation Street star sparks exit fears as they think she 'kills' soap legend

Coronation Street star Claire Sweeney has sparked fears of an upcoming exit as they worry her character is set to 'kill' a soap legend. The actress herself was left 'shocked' to learn Cassie Plummer will turn to poisoning Weatherfield's Ken Barlow.

In more recent months in the ITV soap, Cassie has found herself in the fold at No.1 Coronation Street, having become Ken's carer after he fell down the stairs and fractured his pelvis.

She has continued to support him for months but seemingly had a hidden agenda when Ken revealed he'd won a significant sum on premium bonds. Soon, Ken was whisking himself and Cassie off on a sun-soaked holiday but following the pair's return, during Monday night's (November 18) Corrie, Ken was seen letting Cassie go.

READ MORE: Coronation Street's Claire Sweeney speaks out on exit fears as Cassie Plummer 'will go to any lengths'

READ MORE: Read more of our Coronation Street stories here

At the Bistro, Ken treated Cassie to some bubbly, and warmly thanked her for all she had done for him. It soon dawned on Cassie that she no longer had a job and she tried to cover her disappointment as she learned that Steve agreed with Ken's decision. Later, Ken agreed to use his experience and knowledge to help Cassie with her CV, and she ended up joining him back at the house.

But as they chatted and Cassie made Ken a hot drink, viewers saw her crushing a tablet and spiking him while she also gave Ken some of his usual medication.

Then, during Wednesday night’s episode (November 20), things take a dramatic turn as Ken is rushed to hospital. Is Cassie about to be found out, and why is she drugging the man she is supposed to be caring for?

As the storyline twist aired, Claire took to Instagram and shared a picture of a newspaper spread, having done a new interview, with the headline: "I'll be Public Enemy No1 after posining Ken Barlow, he's a national treasure... I'm a Corrie fan and I'd be fuming watching it too."

Alongside the post, Claire wrote: "Loving my new storyline! I’m about to poison a national treasure. Brilliantly written and a lot more complex than it seems. I adore working with Bill Roache, he is Kind, caring, a total gentlemen, and a brilliant Actor. Feel honoured to be working alongside Bill @fat_dracula @realkate1."

And Corrie fans were quick to respond with a mixed bag of comments, with some worried for Ken and others questioning if she'll be staying on the show.

@parksy_1878 said: "Killing Ken Barlow off of no1 Coronation Street. Where’s Peter Barlow when you need him, he’ll raise hell for Cassie." @silvana_aston commented: "Omg, shocker! You’re a frickin’ great actor, I’m sure it’s gonna be soooo good (but obvs bad for poor Kenny)."

@jinty2611 replied: "Hope that doesnt mean your leaving." @quested2023 posted: "No surely not please. You entered the show as a problem, you got on the right road, surely not exiting as a villain...say it isn't so." @nbellis33 shared: "As long as it doesn’t lead to an exit for Cassie - but great to play (and watch)!" @simy_jc added: "Trying to kill off a Corrie national treasure! How could you?"

But if Cassie were to be caught - and it is soap land after - would Claire be worried the storyline could signal the end of her time on the cobbles? "It does cross your mind," the 53-year-old admitted. "When I got this job, if you’d have told me that a year and a half later, I’d be here having a big storyline with Bill Roache, I’d have been so grateful for that.

"In my time in Corrie, I’ve had big scenes with Maureen Lipman, a big storyline with Bill Roache, I’ve got to snog Steve McDonald and have a cat fight with Tracy. What more could I want? So, if this does signal the end, I’d go – well hasn’t that been great, I’ve been blessed."