Sue Cleaver made 'fake calls' to prepare for Coronation Street role

Sue Cleaver made a "few fake calls" to taxi firms to prepare for her role on \'Coronation Street\'.

The 56-year-old actress - who plays Eileen Grimshaw on the long-running soap - has revealed she went the extra mile ahead of her first appearance on the programme in 2000, when her character arrived as a switchboard operator with the taxi firm Street Cars.

She said: "I thought about taxi firms I used and how they answered the phone and the flat voice they used.

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"I have to admit I made a few fake calls where I didn\'t need a taxi, just to talk to the operator.

"Then I\'d ring back and say: \'Oh, I\'m so sorry, I\'ve got to cancel that cab.\' I\'m amazed I\'m not blacklisted around Manchester\'s cab firms really."

Sue is celebrating two decades on the soap this year - even though she only initially thought she\'d be on the cobbles for 12 months.

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The actress also revealed the affection she has for her on-screen character, describing Eileen as "down to earth, level-headed and loyal".

Sue - who previously starred in the BBC comedy series \'Dinnerladies\' - told the Sunday Mirror newspaper: "I originally said I\'d stay about a year, but the place is so seductive.

"Everybody knows an Eileen. She\'s every woman, she\'s down to earth, level-headed and loyal.

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"She\'s a great friend, but cr*p at everything else."