Soaps
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The 76-year-old, who is part of the Queen's birthday honours list, has appeared as Rita Sullivan in episodes dating back to 1964.
Eileen Derbyshire, 78, has also been honoured for her tenure in Coronation Street, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.
Meanwhile, Anne Reid - who played Ken Barlow's wife Valerie on the thrice weekly serial - will also receive an award.
Reid, who has more recently starred in Victoria Wood's Dinnerladies, said: "I have always tried to do my job as best I can but I never dreamt in a million years I would be honoured in this way."
> Zeta-Jones leads Queen's birthday honours
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