Beverley Callard has admitted that she still gets excited when she opens up her Coronation Street scripts.
The actress has been a Weatherfield regular on and off since 1989, when her character Liz McDonald arrived on the cobbles with husband Jim (Charlie Lawson) and their two sons.
Speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post about life at work, Callard explained: "I just love playing Liz. It's such a great role and so much fun to play. She goes from high drama to very funny comedy, so I've got the best of both worlds.
"I love it. It's like opening a present when you get that script and as long as I keep getting that buzz, then I'll stay."
Reflecting on her early days with the serial, she said: "At first going into a show like that is very daunting because there is a lot to live up to. It's a programme that has gone on nearly 50 years and you're surrounded by all these talented people.
"Also you're acting with someone who you don't know and you have to look as though you've been married to them for years. But me and Charlie Lawson hit it off straight away and had a lot of fun. We grew very close and we still are to this day."
Callard is currently promoting her new autobiography Unbroken, which sees her open up over her battle with depression.