Tracy Brabin on her time in Coronation Street and Ken Barlow making her a tea

Batley and Spen MP Tracy Brabin appeared in the long-running ITV drama as Tricia Armstrong between 1994 and 1997.

Ms Brabin starred on the Street alongside her son on the show, Jamie, and the pair had an eventful three years.

After financial problems and a spell in prison for non-payment of her TV Licence, Tricia had a baby son with Corrie bad boy Terry Duckworth.

Tricia left the Street in 1997 alongside her on-screen love interest, decorator Ray Thorpe.

Tracy Brabin returns to the cobbles in 2018

Now Ms Brabin has secured an adjournment debate in the House of Commons tomorrow where politicians from all parties will discuss the popular soap and how it has still been able to operate during the pandemic.

She fondly recalls her time on the soap, which marks its milestone on December 9, and has not ruled out a possible Rovers Return to the cobbles in the future.

Ms Brabin, who is standing to become Labour's candidate for the role of Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: "It's a huge privilege. Being a Northern actor, definitely being in Coronation Street is something ticked off the bucket list.

"Tricia was a brilliant character. She had her son Jamie, she was a single parent who was unlucky in love. A lot of people could relate to it.

"Last year we talked about the TV Licence and I was able to reflect on Tricia and the fact that she went to prison for not paying her's. That law changed as a result of the show. Now there is support for women and debt management.

Tracy Brabin has recalled her years playing Tricia Armstrong in Coronation Street during the 1990s

"Corrie is a working class story of ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances, under extraordinary pressure.

"Here on Coronation Street, its an opportunity to get these working class experiences and voices out there, particularly women's voices. It's a matriarchal show.

"When I was in it, globally, 55 million people watched it.

"I'm still startled that people still recognise me from the show. They still remember my character's name.

"My son in the show, Jamie, grew up on it. He's in America now.

On your first day on the Street, you are like a terrified kid in a sweet shop. Ken Barlow made me a cup of tea to make me feel welcome. It's a family

"I was an actor for eight years before going into the show.

Tracy Brabin speaking in Parliament

"You have to remember when you've been in it that the show is famous, not you.

"It reminds people know that I'm a familiar face.

"I remember after I left Coronation Street, I was working in a book shop. People thought as I had been on TV why was I working in a book shop. It's the feast and famine nature of the industry."