Samia Longchambon reveals impact lockdown had on her anxiety

Samia Longchambon was "terrified for the future" at times during lockdown.

The \'Coronation Street\' actress has opened up about how her anxiety has been affected during the coronavirus pandemic, as she found herself having ups and downs with her health anxiety.

Speaking to the Daily Star newspaper\'s supplement TV Life, she explained: "I had good days and bad days.

"Some days I\'d watch the news and I\'d be terrified for the future, and other days I was dead happy in my little bubble with my family all day."

The 38-year-old soap star - who has played Maria Connor on the ITV soap since 2000 - admitted she is still "nervous" when it comes to heading out, even after lockdown restrictions were eased across the UK.

She said: "I\'m still a bit nervous about going out. I\'ve not been to a restaurant yet and I can count on one hand the amount of times I\'ve been to the supermarket because I have health anxiety.

"I\'ve started going in now, but I didn\'t go at all during lockdown."

Samia has also found it strange adjusting to life back on the cobbles after the \'Corrie\' cast resumed filming over summer, after a filming suspension due to the health crisis.

The soap\'s hiatus was the longest break she\'d had in two decades, and while she is delighted to be back on set, Samia admitted it doesn\'t feel the same because of the reduced crew and safety measures in place.

She added: "It\'s great to be here and it feels very safe, but it\'s like a ghost town.

"I\'m used to going into the make-up room and having a bit of a gossip and a catch-up with everyone, so it\'s weird sitting in your dressing room on your own. I\'ve been putting my music or a podcast on just for a bit of noise."