Audrey Roberts is one of Coronation Street's most iconic characters.
The Weatherfield legend is played by Sue Nicholls who first joined the popular ITV soap back in 1979.
Although she is now one of Corrie's longest serving stars, the 77-year-old began life on the cobbles as a guest character who only made occasional appearances - as Mirror Online reports.
READ MORE: Coronation Street spoilers reveal Audrey could be very ill
The salon owner debuted in an episode at daughter Gail Platt's engagement party to Brian Tilsley - and she become a permanent fixture of the cast in 1985.
She has since developed into a staple of the programme and has been involved in famous storylines such as her dramatic relationship with Nigel Havers' conman, Lewis Archer.
Concerns were raised during this week's episodes that Audrey might be ill after Gail and Rita both suggested she should visit the doctor for a check-up.
We've taken a look at the acclaimed actress' storied career as her character goes through a tough time on Coronation Street's cobbles.
Unexpected full title
Sue was born in 1943 - and is the daughter of Lord Harmar-Nicholls, the former Conservative MP for Peterbrough and MEP for Greater Manchester South.
Lord Harmar-Nicholls was made a life peer - which means Sue is actually entitled to be addressed as "The Honourable Sue Nicholls" - but has chosen not to be.
TV breakthrough and chart success
Sue made her TV debut in another soap, Crossroads, as waitress Marilyn Gates back in 1964 - and also achieved success as a musician from the show.
Her recording of the Crossroads theme tune, 'Where Will You Be?' was sang on the show and she reached Number 17 in the UK Singles Charts in July 1968.
Cabaret career
While her second single failed to be a chart hit, she embarked on a successful cabaret career and performed her solo act all over the country.
Sue's diverse career has taken her to Vienna - where she performed between strip acts in a nightclub during the 70s. In 1976, she had a tour of America and Canada with the Royal Shakespeare company, which ended with a six-week run on the Broadway stage.
She told the Mirror in 2010: "I was kind of shy and blushed a lot when I went to RADA when I was 17. But I'd said I wanted to act when I was three. I loved singing and dancing. What a precocious little sod I must have been.
"I went into weekly rep and loved it. I've never had any plan, I've tasted a little of everything. From end-of-the-pier, panto, cabaret in a strip club in Vienna - not me stripping - drama, Shakespeare in America."
Famous husband
During the show, Audrey has had many love interests including Nigel Havers' conman Lewis Archer and her beloved Alf Roberts, portrayed by Brian Mosley.
However, in real life Sue fell in love with cast-mate Mark Eden, who played Rita's villainous husband Alan Bradley from 1986 - 1989.
Alan is regarded as one of the best soap villains of all time and the character's death is one of the show's most iconic moments as he was infamously killed by a tram in Blackpool.
Sue has revealed how the two met at a fashion party back in 1983 - and said it was love at first sight.
She said: "I was wearing one of those Grecian dresses you could send off for, from a catalogue. He was in the middle of, sadly, parting from his second wife and he was lovely, and that was it. I did feel an instant kind of something.
"The first time we went out I nearly crashed the car, he made me laugh so much. I had to swerve into the verge. He stayed that night.
"But if you can't be a bit daring in your late thirties, when can you? And it's the only time I've ever chased anyone. He is very romantic. A very handsome man."
Family life
The couple got married in 1993 and initially had to spend a lot of time apart as Mark worked in London while Sue was in Manchester.
Mark has three children from a previous relationship - but Sue said the two decided to not have any children together as they met 'late in life'.
She told the Mirror in 2019: "I met Mark late in life – I was nearly 40 – so children just didn’t happen.
"As much as I’d have liked it, I didn’t have family to bring up and worry about …maybe that’s helped keep me young."
However, Sue insisted she was not one to look back with any regrets and was perfectly content with how her life has played out.
She said: "It’s fine – I’ve never dwelled on it, or thought how hard done by I was, because you just never know what else is going to happen in life."
Sadly, Mark died on New Year's Day this year aged 92 following a battle with Alzheimer’s.
Legacy on the show
Sue has been part of the Coronation Street cast for over 40 years - and has spoken about how grateful she is to have been given the opportunity.
Back in 2010, she told Digital Spy: "It's jolly nice, too - it's the best job to have, especially in this day and age when there are no jobs anyway. Everybody wants to be in it so it must have something going for it!
"I've been so lucky and if I think back over the years all the people have been lovely and the stories have been hot.
"Being with Amanda Barrie was lovely, and of course Brian Mosley who sadly died - and it's thanks to Brian or whoever - if they hadn't married Audrey off to Alf, who knows I might just have been another tart with a heart passing through."
Coronation Street airs Monday, Wednesday and Friday on ITV and ITVHub
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