She first stepped onto the cobbles in 1979 and has starred as Audrey Roberts for a staggering 40 years.
And Sue Nicholls beamed with pride as she walked onstage to collect the Outstanding Achievement trophy at the British Soap Awards for her exceptional service to acting in Coronation Street.
The ITV legend, 75, wore an elegant midnight blue dress with a jewelled brooch - as Sir Ian McKellen, who appeared on the soap in 2005, congratulated the star in a touching personalised video.
Outstanding: Sue Nicholls beamed with pride as she walked onstage to collect the Outstanding Achievement trophy at the British Soap Awards for her exceptional service to acting in Coronation Street
Sue looked exceptional in the chic ensemble, wearing glittering statement earrings and her honey-blonde locks styled in a perfect do.
As she made a speech, the Corrie star cracked a joke about paying the audience to be there before exclaiming that she was 'gobsmacked'.
And the star was treated to a blast from the past with a congratulations from Ian McKellen, who made in a short appearance in the show as dodgy novelist Mel Hutchwright.
'Hello Audrey, of my dear Audrey, it’s Mel! Do you remember? Mel, long time no see', he quipped in the pre-recorded message.
Congratulations: Sir Ian McKellen, who appeared on the soap in 2005, congratulated the star in a touching personalised video
Sensational: The ITV legend, 75, wore an elegant midnight blue dress with a jewelled brooch
Award winner: Sue looked exceptional in the chic ensemble, wearing glittering statement earrings and her honey-blonde locks styled in a perfect do
'Anyway love, I hear that congratulations are in order and I’m only sorry I'm not there to be with you this evening, truth be told'.
Coronation Street fans were quick to praise Sue Nicholl for her well-deserved award, with some even going as far to say she is a 'national treasure'.
'All hail Queen Sue Nicholls, outstanding actress winning the outstanding
