Sue Cleaver made a "few fake calls" to taxi firms to prepare for her role on 'Coronation Street'.
Sue Cleaver
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.
"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.
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.
"She's a great friend, but cr*p at everything else."
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