Coronation Street's Barbara Knox has said she has no thoughts of retiring from the soap yet.
The 78-year-old actress, who first appeared as Weatherfield's Rita Sullivan in 1964, believes her work has tremendous health benefits.
Speaking to The Mirror, Knox scoffed: "Retire? What a filthy word. I haven't thought of retiring. I keep saying to everybody I know - don't retire, just keep working.
"It's so good for you - it certainly is for me. I know it's hard and you're tired and you don't want to go in, but your brain is in action."
She added: "I do think the sheer discipline of work helps to keep you younger.
"So apart from loving the job, that is at the back of my mind. I've done it all my life and I enjoy it and I genuinely find it stimulating."
What to Read Next
The star's character Rita was off screen for five months from October 2009 to March 2010, after Knox took a break for health reasons.
Cornershop stalwart Rita Sullivan, who has been married twice before, is getting hitched to old friend Dennis Tanner next month to coincide with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Watch a classic scene of Rita in her early days on the Street below:
