The Queen visited the set of iconic soap opera Coronation Street at Media City UK in Manchester. There, Her Majesty walked down Weatherfield's famous cobbled streets.

       And, getting on the doorstep of the Rovers Return Inn, she met the four longest-serving characters in the history of Coronation Street - William ‘Bill’ Roache, Barbara Knox, Sue Nicholls and Helen Worth.

       The Queen was thanked for her visit by Ms Knox, who told Her Majesty her arrival "has given us all such a lift".

       The monarch shrugged off the compliment and, focusing on the soap, said it had been remarkable the show had been able to "carry on" during the pandemic.

       To which Mr Roache responded: "No Ma'am, you are the one who carried on".

       The Queen laughed at the compliment before she went on hearing about the efforts made by crew members and production to keep the show going over the past year.

       The monarch later moved inside the Inn to meet more cast and crew members.

       This visit marks Coronation Street's 60th anniversary.

       MORE TO FOLLOW