Coronation Street star fighting for her life

Coronation Street legend Liz Dawn is fighting for her life after being rushed to hospital.

The actress who played Vera Duckworth for 34 years has been taken to hospital after suffering fluid on the lungs and chest pains.

The 77-year-old is a former heavy smoker who has emphysema. Last year she had a pacemaker fitted following a health scare, reports the Daily Mail.

She has recently been restricted to a wheelchair and has been housebound for weeks.

A family source said her usually upbeat demeanour had been affected by her ailing health.

"She's been in and out of hospital quite a few times in the last few years and normally the family are quite upbeat, but this time they seem more concerned," they told The Sun.

"She's not in a good way and her loved ones are obviously very worried."

Liz was on the programme for 34 years before quitting the cobbles through ill-health in 2008.

In June she had surgery linked to a heart condition.

At the time she said: "I've got no energy but once the operation is done I will be looking forward to being as back to my normal self and getting my energy back."