Former Coronation Street star Tracy Brabin brought the much-loved soap to Parliament to celebrate its 60th anniversary.
The Batley and Spen MP played cleaner Tricia Armstrong in the soap from 1994 to 1997.
Tracy, 59, told the House of Commons that she treasured her time on the soap and championed the long-running soap for helping to boost the economy in the north over the years.
She also revealed some behind-the-scenes secrets which raised laughter in the Commons as she praised the show which turns 60 on Wednesday December 9.
Speaking about making her Coronation Street debut she said it was 'surreal.'
"Everybody in the green room was a famous face, when you've got William Roache, who's now unbelievably 88, saying 'would you like a cup of tea Tracy?'
"It does feel like quite a surreal experience. And working with Liz Dawn."
Tracy said the late Corrie legend, who played Vera Duckworth from 1974 to 2008, had a comical way of remembering her lines.
"She had her lines stuck like The Generation Game all over the set because she couldn't remember all of it," she recalled.
"Famously one Christmas she pulled out the chicken and the lines were on the bottom of the chicken."
She added: "Anne Kirkbride with her wicked sense of humour, creasing us up in serious scenes.
"It was the honour of being part of something so associated with my class in homes of people every night."
Tracy told the Commons that Corrie, based at Trafford Wharf and previously Granada Studios at Quay Street, Manchester, employs 450 people and hundreds of freelancers.
And has a long tradition of supporting young talent at the bequest of creator Tony Warren.
"It's about jobs in the north," said Tracy, who pointed out that as well as actors and directors it employs schedulers, designers, costume, makeup and props teams and security guards.
"The entertainment industry has the power to build our economies and deliver regeneration," she said.
"Here's to the next 60 years!" she added.
