Coronation Street star Beverley Callard has revealed that a serious injury has prevented her from filming her final scenes on the soap.
The 63-year-old, who has played the iconic Liz McDonald since 1989, decided to leave the soap this year although her exit was delayed due to coronavirus.
Fans thought that she had been quietly written out after it was revealed that Liz had moved to Spain, but now Callard has admitted that a hip operation gone wrong has left her unable to walk.
"This is the toughest fight of my life but I am determined to win it," she told The Mirror.
"I am a strong woman but another strong woman in my life is Liz McDonald and she has been for 31 years.
"I love playing her and she has inspired me to want to get on my feet again so I can do it one last time.
"If there is anything apart from my family that makes me want to get back on my feet, it's being Liz again."
The actress went on to reveal that she is targeting 2021 to give Liz a final send-off, saying: "I don't think I'll be back until next year but I will be back – that's for sure. As soon as I'm well enough I will film Liz's exit. I just hope it's a belter.
"I'd love for Liz to find happiness, romance and everything else. I doubt that will happen as they never do that for Liz.
"If she finds romance they usually make it go wrong. They did tell me they're not going to kill her off. They want to leave the door open for me."
Callard will be honoured in an episode of Coronation Street Icons on ITV on Wednesday, September 9.
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