Coronation Street favourite Sue Nicholls says 'they're my family' in emotional remarks about Platt co-stars

Coronation Street favourite Sue Nicholls has said 'they're my family' as she emotionally spoke about her co-stars. The actress has been much loved by fans of the ITV soap having appeared on-screen for decades as hair stylist and former Weatherfield mayoress Audrey Roberts.

The 79-year-old, who first became known for playing Marilyn Gates in Crossroads, made her debut as Audrey in 1979 where she was an occasional character. It wasn't until 1985 that she became a full-time permanent character and has been a key Weatherfield resident ever since.

And for all her time on the soap, Sue has been working with Helen Worth, who joined Corrie in 1974 as Gail Platt. The Platt family has since grown to include David and Sarah, as well as Nick Tilsley, and the children's own children.

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And according to Sue, her on-screen family are now just like her real one. "I adore the Platt family, it’s as if they are my family. I see them more than I see my darling sister who is in London," the soap star shared in a rare interview. "Audrey and her family take up such a lot of my time and I love them.

"I wouldn't be in the show if it wasn’t for Helen and the relationship between Gail and Audrey is wonderful, you often see them niggling at each other but we have had some lovely heart-to-heart scenes recently which I have really enjoyed. Jack [P Shepherd] makes me laugh so much, he is even funny in the serious scenes, he is a very good actor and a lovely person. They all are.

"Tina [O'Brien] is divine, Julia [Goulding] is wonderful because she plays Shona with that