By AMELIA WYNNE, SHOWBUSINESS REPORTER
Published: | Updated:
Coronation Street star Eileen Mayers has died at the age of 94.
The actress was best known for playing the part of factory worker Sheila Birtles from 1960 until 1963 and then again in the early 1970s.
An announcement in The Times read: 'Sheila Birtles in Coronation Street between 1960-63, she is now 'resting' for ever. God bless.
'Eileen (née Mayers) died on 27th June 2026 aged 94. She took her final curtain call after an acting career which began aged 15 at the Oldham Repertory Theatre.'
During her time on the show she was involved in a controversial storyline which was then dramatically changed after it sparked a furious backlash.
ITV producers planned for Sheila to take her own life after she became depressed following a failed love affair but the plot leaked before being screened.
After huge outcry the producer at the time Margaret Morris ordered the storyline to be rewritten.
Beloved Coronation Street star Eileen Mayers has died at the age of 94
The actress was best known for playing the part of factory worker Sheila Birtles from 1960 until 1963 and then again in the early 1970s
She appeared in 161 episodes of Coronation Street across 13 years.
Eileen previously spoke about the controversy surrounding her exit in the documentary The Corrie Years.
She said: 'I came out of Granada having finished and was greeted with a wall of journalists and I couldn't believe it.
'It is disappointing when you think 'Oh that's it, that's good,' and then it doesn't get shown but that's the way it is.
'I had an actress friend who used to say 'Well dear, you've been front page news!' and I'd rather not have been, and that they had shown the episode.'
Aside from Corrie she also starred in episodes of Keep It In The Family and I'm Not Bothered.
Fans shared their sadness over her death online, penning: 'Ah, I've just read in the latest edition of Equity magazine that the actress Eileen Mayers has recently died.
'She played Sheila Birtles in the early episodes of Coronation Street. Sad news.',
'Sad to read that actress Eileen Mayers died in June aged 94.
'Her best known role was Sheila Birtles in Coronation Street.'
A third added: 'I am incredibly sad to see she has passed, sincerely RIP to her.'
An announcement in The Times read: 'Sheila Birtles in Coronation Street between 1960-63, she is now 'resting' for ever. God bless'
During her time on the show she was involved in a controversial storyline which was then dramatically changed after it sparked a furious backlash