Coronation Street star Sue Cleaver has revealed in a candid interview that her 50s have been the best years of her life so far – and that she is up for a challenge as she approaches her seventh decade.
As the actress prepares to turn 60 later this year, she is happy to take the opportunity to get out of her comfort zone again after taking part in I’m A Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! last year.
Sue, 59, who has played Eileen Grimshaw on Corrie for 23 years after first appearing on the ITV soap in 2000, reckons her time in the jungle has encouraged her to push her boundaries more.
She told Prima magazine: “My 50s have been the happiest decade of my life. I’m happy with myself and where I am, so I’m looking forward to seeing what the next decade brings.
“Since doing I’m A Celeb, my eyes have been opened to all these new experiences.
“Now, I’m just thinking, ‘Right, what’s my next challenge?’”
The star, who lost weight on the ITV reality show due to food rationing, discussed what she believes to be “unfair expectations” on women to look and eat a certain way, which she refuses to buy into.
She told Prima: “I lost some weight in the jungle, but I’m not obsessing over diets: life is hard enough!
“There’s always going to be outside pressure and unfair expectations placed on women, but I refuse to get pulled into it. Let’s just let women be women – we have enough difficulties and struggles as it is.”
Sue has already proved how she can take on new projects, telling how she became a qualified psychotherapist after undergoing therapy in the past.
She said: “It all started when I had therapy myself 10 years ago and it transformed my life. I developed a fascination with it.
"I studied for three years.
“I’m officially allowed to practise as a psychotherapist now.”
The March 2023 issue of Prima is now on sale
