Staggeringly, it was nearly 40 years ago that Sue Devaney first stepped onto the cobbles.
The 54-year-old actress was just a teenager when she made her first on screen appearance as Debbie Webster in June 1984.
Kevin's argumentative younger sister worked at Jim's cafe, had a fling with biker Daz Isherwood, then left Weatherfield with dad Bill and his new wife Elaine to move to Southampton in January 1985.
Over the years Debbie has been briefly mentioned in passing, but made a surprise return in 2019 before a full comeback last year, having transformed from a penniless teen into a rich businesswoman.
It was actually thanks to on-screen brother Michael Le Vell that Sue returned, with the actress stating: " hey invited me back last year and I did six episodes. And then Mike Le Vell said ‘Would you come back here?’ and I said I would love to because for five years I have not spent much time in my own bed ’cos I’ve been on tour.
"So he said ‘Right, make sure you are not doing any tours and are available, because I’m going to speak to this producer’. He was brilliant."
There are parallels to her Corrie character in her real life, as Sue too put everything into her career and so has never had a family.
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Speaking in 2016, she told The Big Issue: "I never married because I was married to the job.
"I never had any children and I’m now nearly 50 and I think I’ve missed that opportunity but it’s only because I was busy doing what I was doing.”
Admitting she had to choose a career or children, she said: "People think you can have it all – I don’t think you can. I like to do one thing and not juggle about 25 plates. I’ve got a lovely partner and my sister and my niece. I’ve got a life outside of acting."
During her lengthy spell away from Corrie, Sue appeared in a number of popular TV shows, including The Bill, The Royal, Heartbeat, Casualty, Shameless, Common As Muck and kids' drama Jonny Briggs.
"The first few years of my career was on TV and after Coronation Street I did Jonny Briggs, so for five to seven years I did TV and then I got into theatre," explained Sue last year.
"I just go where the work is, if it’s going on tour or doing a series. But there is something about soap that I love, the pace and fastness of it all.
"There is something about coming back to the North and coming back to Corrie that I feel very safe, even in this time when it is so difficult, I feel very comfortable."
She is perhaps best known for playing Jane in Victoria Wood’s hit canteen-set sitcom Dinnerladies, appearing in all 16 episodes and in a touring theatre version based on the second series.
Sue has been very candid about her struggles with addiction and has opened up on her own experiences of mental health problems to raise awareness about homelessness.
Last year, the actress told Manchester Evening News, she had an "an insatiable appetite for the bad things in life" and described her addiction as "the disease of more, more, more."
"I’m passionate about helping these people because I know what it’s like to have no money, no job," she explained. "I have experienced mental health issues, low self esteem, low self worth like many of us. I know what it’s like to be an addict.
“People turn to substance abuse because, initially, it takes the pain away, even if it’s just for an hour or so. Then, it stops working and the very thing you used to take the pain away is causing you catastrophic pain.
She continued: “I am lucky. I got help. I had the disease of more, more, more… more drink, more sugar, just an insatiable appetite for the bad things in life. Nothing in moderation, everything in excess. I attracted the wrong type of folk.
“Am I less of a person for having the disease of addiction? I am not. So are they less of a person for using drugs and alcohol to cope?"
When she's not acting, Sue loves to travel and has also formed a band called The Dunky Dobbers with former Coronation Street and Emmerdale actress Michelle Holmes.
The incredible singer learned lots of ABBA songs while on stage in Mamma Mia! and can even sing Dancing Queen in Korean - something which she taught on-screen brother Michael to do.
In August this year, Sue revealed that she bases her character on a former teacher and old friend she has dubbed the 'Joan Collins of Rochdale'.
Speaking on This Morning, Sue admitted she is a bit of a tomboy and "not very glamorous" in real life, so loves dressing up as Debbie on set.
She explained: "But to come into work and put the full face on and the shoes and the scarves. I've actually based Debbie on one of my friends, my dear old friend who was my tap dancing teacher. She's the Joan Collins of Rochdale!
"She always is immaculate. She's in her 80s now - I shouldn't really say that because she doesn't tell anybody her age - but yeah, she's just so glamorous and everything matches. So yeah, Debbie's got a bit of Maureen in her!"
While she was initially a villain working with rapist Ray Crosby in a bid to destroy Weatherfield, Debbie has turned things around and is now working with Leanne in the Bistro.
Fans have taken to the character and will be pleased to know she's signed a contract which will to take her to April 2022 on the soap.
Reacting to the news, Sue said: "I absolutely love playing Debbie and I’ve just signed a new contract that will take me to April 2022.
"When I first came back, I never imagined I would be around for that length of time and I’m delighted. Every day, when I drive into work, I have a big grin on my face. I’m so happy to be here."
*Coronation Street airs tonight on ITV at 7.30pm and 8.30pm
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