It’s been 40 years since Audrey Roberts first set foot on the Cobbles - and show bosses celebrated the milestone with a pretty impressive cake.
Audrey joined the soap on April 17, 1979 and actress Sue Nicholls has become one of the ITV show’s best loved stars.
So it was only fitting that the actress was spoiled on such a special anniversary, which was marked by cast and crew including producer Iain MacLeod.
The Coronation Street official Twitter page shared the moment when Sue, 75, received her surprise gifts, which included a bouquet of flowers, a bottle of champagne and an epic cake made to look like Audrey's hair salon.
Sat on top of the roof was a very elegant model of Audrey wearing a blue jacket and scarf.
The images were posted along with the message: “As part of the celebrations for 40 years on the cobbles for the wonderful Sue Nicholls, check out this fantastic (and very tasty) cake presented to her by producer Iain MacLeod in front of cast and crew.”
The crew also asked fans to post their favourite Audrey moment from the last four decades.
Many viewers recalled the recent flower throwing at her on-screen rival Claudia Colby, while others spoke of Audrey's grief when she lost her beloved husband Alf.
One fan tweeted: “I love Audrey, and her time on the Street, but I think Sue Nicholls will always be, to me, Nadia Popov. Favourite Audrey moment? Coming to Gail's rescue after Hillman finally confessed.”
A second said: “My favourite Audrey moment was when she threw the flowers at Claudia.”
A third posted “Audrey's genuine, palpable grief at the loss of "her Alfie"... … the Hillman saga... her devastation at the loss of Lewis... So many fabulous, heartfelt performances.”
Another added: “When she revealed all about Richard Hillman what he really was like and saved her family from. She also won Hero Of The Year at the British Soap Awards that year. Also the cancer story line with Alma her friend was so emotional to watch. And when Alf died we felt sorry for her.”
Rula Lenska, who plays Claudia, proved they leave their bickering on set with the message: “I love this lady.”
