Her Majesty first took a tour of Coronation Street 39 years ago, when the likes of Bet Lynch, Len Fairclough and Rita Sullivan were entertaining the nation. And Barbara Knox, who plays Rita, was back to greet her again, along with some other stars who were also in the soap in 1982 – and are still going strong as it celebrates its 60th anniversary.

       Barbara, 87, Sue Nicholls, 77, (Audrey Roberts) and Helen Worth, 70, (Gail Platt) curtsied as HRH arrived on set in Salford, Greater Manchester. The Queen also met Bill Roache, who has played Ken Barlow for 60 years.

       She said it was “marvellous” they had carried on filming in the pandemic. Bill, 89, told the monarch, 95: “Well, Ma’am, you’re the one who’s carried on.”

       As she rolled back the years, the red carpet was rolled out to protect her from the cobbles.

       Kate Spencer, who plays Grace Vickers, warned: “Hard to walk on in heels.” HRH replied: “I’ve been told. Probably better not.”

       But after meeting more stars in the Rovers studio, she was given a Corrie cobble – which make very effective doorstops.