'It's very sad': Iconic soap star Eileen Derbyshire, 85, may not 'return to Coronation Street' after 55-year run... as soap confirms 'extended break'

• e-mail

After a year of absence, Eileen Derbyshire is not believed to be returning to Coronation Street, following 55 years in the role of Emily Bishop.

Despite reports on Sunday morning suggesting that the 85-year-old soap veteran had quit the show, a representative for the ITV soap confirmed to MailOnline that she is simply on an extended break, yet has indicated no plans to return.

The iconic performer, who has been on the ITV show since 1961, took a sabbatical last November and has been absent now for 12 months.

Scroll down for video  

Rumour has it: Corrie star Eileen Derbyshire, 85, was alleged to be leaving the soap, although a spokesman confirmed she was just on an extended break and had no plans not to return

The actress, who is the soap's longest serving female cast member, took six months off from the show last year, which she later extended.

A show insider is said to have told The Sun On Sunday: 'Eileen has been off for a long time, and there is no expectation that she will be back. All of her cast mates have accepted she won't be returning.

'She's 85 and has been out of the show for a year, so she probably would have found it tough to get back into the fast pace of filming.'

Icon: The actress, who is the soap's longest serving female cast member, took six months off from the show last November, which she later extended

Controversy: Corrie bosses said that although Eileen has not told them she will quit, there are no plans for her to return, The Sun reported

The source added that while it was 'very sad', the actress had made spending time with her family her 'priority'.

However a show spokesperson told MailOnline: 'Eileen is currently on an extended break from the show and has given us no indication that she doesn't plan to return.' 

Her departure comes after a long series of tragic exits for some of the soap's most famous stars.

Anne Kirkbride, who played Dierdre Barlow, died from breast cancer last January, while Jean Alexander - known as Hilda Ogden onscreen - died in October.

Eileen, who has won an MBE for services to drama in 2010, has faced many trials and plot twists on the ITV soap. 

What will it be? A show insider claimed: 'Eileen has been off for a long time, and there is no expectation that she will be back. All of her cast mates have accepted she won't be returning'

Veteran star: Eileen won an MBE for services to drama in 2010 (pictured with her medal and co-star Barbara Knox)

Some of her challenges even extended off-screen - when the actress accidentally set herself on fire while filming scenes for Guy Fawkes in 2011.

She got too close to a candle and set her shawl alight while filming a scene as part of a birthday party for Sophie Webster, played by Brooke Vincent.

A crew member sprinted onto the set with a fire extinguisher to spray her arm, the Daily Mirror reported at the time.

She was taken to her dressing room where she was treated by a doctor but escaped serious injury.

Playing with fire!The actress accidentally set herself on fire while filming scenes for Guy Fawkes in 2011

Legend: The actress joined the then brand new soap in the Sixties (pictured aged 28 kissing actor Paul Stassino in Coronation Street)

A source said: 'It was a scary moment for Eileen. She got too close to the tea-light candle and her clothes went up in flames. 

'She was lucky someone on the crew acted so quickly. Thankfully, she didn't get burned but the costume was ruined so the scene had to be completely reshot.'

Filming was halted for most of the afternoon, sources said, but the actress has since been back to work at the Manchester studios. 

The veteran star joined the cobbles of Corrie in 1961 in episode 15 of the then-brand new soap opera.

Turning back the clock: Singer Howard Keel pictured with Corrie actresses Betty Driver, Jean Alexander (1926-2016), Eileen Derbyshire, Barbara Knox, Lisa Lewis, Anne Cunningham and Janette Beverly in front of Rovers Return pub in  1984.

A late developer, her character Emily struggles to find love during her first few years on the cobbles before finally tying the knot with her beloved Ernest, who was killed during a botched robbery in 1978.

As two of the older members of the cast, the characters of Emily and Rita Sullivan (played by Barbara Knox) have become close and can often be seen chatting over a glass of sherry in the Rovers. 

Fittingly, the two actresses, who both joined in the Sixties, were made MBEs in 2010.

Speaking after the Buckingham Palace investiture ceremony Knox said: 'It's very overwhelming quite honestly because it's something I've done all my life and loved and suddenly I've got an honour.

'I suppose we do give a service, so many millions love the programme, so there you are - it's still very surprising.' 

Journey: A late developer, her character Emily struggles to find love during her first few years on the cobbles before finally tying the knot with her beloved Ernest, who was killed during a botched robbery in 1978