Daughter of television scriptwriter, Geoffrey Lancashire, who notably worked on the British soap Coronation Street; she joined the show in 1991 as popular recurring character, Raquel Watts
Signed an exclusive deal with British broadcaster ITV in 2000, worth 1
3 million pounds, making her Britain's highest-paid actress
Played Adelaide in Guys and Dolls on the West End in 2005
Was named an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the Queen's 2017 Birthday Honours
Awards
2017National Television Awards-Drama Performance:winner
2017BAFTA Television Awards-Best Actress:winner
2015National Television Awards-Drama Performance:nominated
2015BAFTA Television Awards-Best Actress:nominated
2014BAFTA Television Awards-Best Supporting Actress:winner
2013BAFTA Television Awards-Best Supporting Actress:nominated