Coronation Street actress Maggie Jones -- who plays the cantankerous Blanche Hunt in ITV's popular soap opera -- is seriously ill in hospital after major surgery, the broadcaster said on Tuesday.
The 75-year-old actress had an operation on Saturday and remains in Hope Hospital, Greater Manchester.
She is said to be "seriously ill" but no details are being released on the type of operation.
Famous for her withering put-downs of long-suffering daughter Deirdre and son-in-law Ken Barlow, Blanche is one of the show's most popular characters.
She won the Best Comedy Performance prize at the British Soap Awards in 2005 and 2008.
Fellow Coronation Street veteran Bill Tarmey -- who plays Jack Duckworth -- said his thoughts are with the actress.
"My beautiful Maggie. She is a delight, she is wonderful and I am just hoping she will be ok," he said.
