Brief
Coronation Street actress Eileen Mayers dies at 94
The actress, who appeared in 161 episodes across 13 years, died on 27 June 2026, aged 94.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Coronation Street veteran Eileen Mayers died on 27 June 2026 at the age of 94, the Daily Mail reported.
May Mayers, born Eileen Mayers, began her acting career at 15 with the Oldham Repertory Theatre. She is best remembered for portraying factory worker Sheila Birtles from 1960 to 1963 and again in the early 1970s, appearing in 161 episodes over a span of 13 years.
During her tenure, a planned storyline in which Sheila would take her own life after a failed love affair was scrapped after a leak sparked a furious public backlash. ITV producer Margaret Morris ordered the plot to be rewritten, according to the article.
In the documentary "The Corrie Years," Mayers reflected on the episode’s cancellation, saying, "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." The Daily Mail quoted her directly.
Fans expressed their sorrow online, posting messages such as, "She played Sheila Birtles in the early episodes of Coronation Street. Sad news," and "I am incredibly sad to see she has passed, sincerely RIP to her."
Key facts
- Eileen Mayers died on 27 June 2026 at age 94. (dailymail.co.uk)
- She played Sheila Birtles on Coronation Street from 1960‑63 and again in the early 1970s. (dailymail.co.uk)
- May Mayers appeared in 161 episodes across 13 years. (dailymail.co.uk)
- A planned suicide storyline for her character was rewritten after a leak, per producer Margaret Morris. (dailymail.co.uk)
- She began acting at age 15 at the Oldham Repertory Theatre. (dailymail.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] dailymail.co.uk — originally reported as “Coronation Street star Eileen Mayers dies at the age of 94”
