Coronation Street's Samia Longchambon flooded with co-star support as she makes '24 year' announcement

Coronation Street star Samia Longchambon has been flooded with supportive messages from her castmates as she marked 24 years since her debut. The actress is famed for playing Maria Windass - nee Sutherland and Connor - in the ITV soap.

Samia has starred in the long-running show since 2000 after beating Girls Aloud's Kimberley Walsh and Hear'Say star Suzanne Shaw to land the role. Maria, whose brother Kirk is still a Weatherfield stalwart, was originally seen as a kennel maid at Sutherland's Kennels. Soon, she agreed to marry Tyrone Dobbs when he proposed atop Blackpool Tower.

In her almost a quarter of a century in Corrie, Samia has only taken two breaks from the soap, in late 2009 and in 2015, both on maternity leave. In the two decades - to date - that she has been on-screen as Maria, Samia hasn't been short of dramatic storylines.

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Taking to Instagram over the weekend, Samia looked back on her Corrie debut by sharing a look at her first scenes at the kennels alongside Tyrone, played by Alan Halsall, and Jack Duckworth, portrayed by the late Bill Tarmey, with Samia admitting the latter made her nervous.

"24 years ago today was my first appearance as Maria @coronationstreet..." Samia, 41, typed alongside the clip of her first scenes. "I was so nervous to be with the wonderful Bill Tarmey (and I think it shows).

"We filmed it on Easter Sunday and I remember being thrilled that I got a free Easter egg to take home on day 1! Imagine my first line being ‘cobblers’..." She added: "I’m super grateful to still be a part of this mighty show #goodolddays @alanhalsall."

Alan was quick to respond to the post, writing: "Amazing!!!! and here’s to Many more." On-screen brother Andy Whyment replied: "Ah love this Sam and here’s to many more years as Maria."

Sally Carman-Duttine, who plays Abi Webster, posted: "I couldn’t love this more." Hits Radio host Mike Toolan shared: "Good work Sam!! And you’re still smashing it 24 years later."

And Samia's fans and followers were also quick to respond. @ianedmonds05 said: "Amazing. Here's to another dozen years as gorgeous Maria." @dawncw65 commented: "Remember it well you’ve worked with some amazing people there hope you're still there in another 24 years."

@annabelcorrie84 shared: "Happy 24 years. I watch the ITV3 'classic' repeats I love watching you all as youngsters. Although I am very jealous that most of you have not aged in 24 years!!!" @sammiebbx posted: "Congrats on 24 years as part of Corrie, Samia. Amazing career." @leoncarroll2008 added: "Brilliant character and too many more years of maria. Happy 24 years."