Coronation Street is officially 60 days away from its 60th anniversary and the soap's incredible milestone hasn't gone unnoticed by famous faces.

Absolutely Fabulous and The New Avengers actress Joanna Lumley has recorded a very special message for the soap's fans to mark the achievement, which has been shared on the official Corrie Twitter account.

The video sees Lumley behind the famous Rovers Return bar and raising a pint to the soap as she reveals just how much the show means to her.

coronation street joanna lumley
ITV

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"I can hardly believe I'm saying this – I'm saying happy birthday to Coronation Street for 60 years," she says.

"It's unbelievable and what makes it even more unbelievable (is) that I, Elaine Perkins, who is never allowed in the Rovers Return, am now behind here, holding up my glass and saying to you all, the cast and crew then and now: Happy happy birthday, a thousand congratulations and in my heart I shall always be part of Corrie.

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"Bless you sweethearts, cheers!"

She then takes a sip of her beer and jokes "I know how to pull pints now".

Joanna was actually part of the Corrie cast herself back in 1973 playing recent graduate Elaine Perkins (which she references in the video).

Elaine became a love interest for Ken Barlow (William Roache) and they enjoyed a few dates together but she eventually turned him down and left.

Joanna's message kicks off Corrie's #60For60 series, which will see messages from famous fans, charities, cast members and viewers shared ahead of the soap's official anniversary on December 9.

On the cobbles themselves the big anniversary will be marked by the conclusions of three major storylines which have been building for months.

joanna lumley, coronation street
ITV

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Evil Geoff Metcalfe (Ian Bartholomew) and his wife Yasmeen Nazir (Shelley King), who Geoff was abusing for months, will face each other in court as Yasmeen's trial for attempted murder arrives, with the end of the trial falling in Corrie's anniversary week.

We will also see "two people battle to keep a shameful secret that will ruin their lives and those around them", while villain Ray Crosby (Mark Frost), who has been trying to buy up homes and businesses across the area, finds his new development plans in jeopardy as the Street's residents team up to challenge him.

Coronation Street is currently airing on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7.30pm on ITV.


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