The stars of Coronation Street have paid tribute to fellow cast member Maggie Jones, who died in hospital on Wednesday aged 75. Maggie, who played Blanche Hunt on the Street, had to pull out of filming the soap in October to undergo surgery. Bill Roache told The Sun: "Maggie was a brilliant actress. "She was a tower of strength - physically frail, but mentally strong as an ox and sharp as someone half her age." Antony Cotton, who plays Sean Tully, also paid tribute: "I will remember her as the public will, as the unstoppable Blanche Hunt. "Sharper than a velociraptor with a flick-knife." Katherine Kelly, who plays Becky McDonald, said: "No words can truly describe how fabulous she was. I feel blessed to have known her." Executive producer Kieran Roberts added: "Maggie will be missed by Coronation Street's many millions of viewers." Maggie first appeared in the soap 35 years ago and has since won many awards for her performances as Blanche. Click here to watch whatsontv.co.uk’s new weekly soaps video preview, the Soap Scoop
