Coronation Street spoilers follow.
Coronation Street sets the stage for Evelyn Plummer's exit storyline next month.
Evelyn is heading away from Weatherfield for a while, as Dame Maureen Lipman has chosen to take a sabbatical from the ITV soap.
In scenes airing in early December, an unexpected clash between Evelyn and Steve McDonald sparks a chain of events which will result in the popular character's departure.
The trouble begins when Roy Cropper hands Evelyn an early Christmas present, which turns out to be a backgammon set.
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Evelyn looks forward to a game at The Rovers, but Steve ruins the moment by accidentally spilling beer all over the board.
Refusing to accept Steve's apologies, Evelyn sends him a letter threatening to take him to small claims court.
A panicking Steve turns to Alya Nazir for advice, fretting that Evelyn wants £325 in compensation. Alya suggests that his easiest move will be to pay up.
Steve reluctantly parts with the cash, leaving Evelyn triumphant as she confides in Alya about how the "solicitor's letter" was a fake one that she wrote herself.
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Alya notes Evelyn's potential in the legal world and invites her to attend a criminal law lecture, fuelling her interest further.
Coronation Street bosses confirmed in July that Evelyn will be taking a break from the show.
A spokesperson told Digital Spy at the time: "Dame Maureen is taking a sabbatical from Coronation Street towards the end of the year. We look forward to seeing her back on the cobbles in 2025."
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Dame Maureen later told OK magazine: "I had the idea that Evelyn might get so fed up with working in three crappy jobs and not being appreciated – I suggested and [the bosses] liked it.
"She applies to go to university at the age of 78 and she's studying law with special emphasis on dogs."
Coronation Street airs these scenes on Monday, December 9, Wednesday, December 11 and Friday, December 13 on ITV1 and ITVX.
Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 and streams on ITVX.
Read more Coronation Street spoilers on our dedicated homepage
