Coronation Street actress Julie Hesmondhalgh has warned show bosses that they will have a fight on their hands if they try to write her out of the soap.

Julie told The People: “Don’t try to get rid of me or you will have a fight on your hands.”

“I have glued these legs under the table. I will be holding on screaming ‘noooooooooooo’.

“I am one of the older cast members now in terms of service, which is weird to think. I am the last of the old group really.

“I can’t believe I was 28 when I came into the show. Samia Smith, who plays Maria, is 28 and when I look at her I think ‘I was the same age as you and I was still playing this old bag even then’.”