'Coronation Street' Liz Dawn is taking life one day at a time after being fitted with a pacemaker.
The 74-year-old actress - who played Vera Duckworth for 34 years on the soap until 2008 - was diagnosed with emphysema in 2004 and had the device, which helps keep the heart beating regularly, fitted after collapsing on holiday in Spain last year.
Speaking on 'The Jeremy Kyle Show', which airs today (12.06.14), Liz said: "I take a lot of tablets. I just live every day and get on with it. At least I've had a warning, some people go out in the morning and drop dead.
"I just take it easy, I know where I'm going and what I'm doing."
Liz admits her ill health is largely down to smoking but she was forced to change her habits after a doctor's consultation.
She said: "Everybody smoked when I was young. I couldn't answer the phone without a fag."
Talking about her doctor's advice, she added: "I had to stop because I just couldn't breathe."
Liz doesn't miss her time on 'Coronation Street' after being killed off the soap in 2008 and enjoys going on holidays now she has the time off.
She explained: "I've had more life without the Street - I get to go on four cruises a year."
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