It has been a big week for Samia Longchambon.
The soap star is renowned for her role as Maria Connor on Coronation Street. She joined the cast of the ITV soap in 2000 and has been a mainstay on the show ever since.
Maria has recently embarked a political career in the show and put green issues at the top of her agenda. The environmentally friendly action has led to unintended consequences as the extra workload has sparked bin workers to go on strike.
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Maria delivered a passionate speech on recycling to get the workers on side, but this backfired when a troll edited her words to a rap tune in a video posted online. The abuse worsened when someone made a deep fake video to make it appear as though she had appeared in a pornographic film.
Maria has since been targeted by a stalker and is living in fear as she endures a turbulent time in Weatherfield. Away from the Cobbles, it has fortunately been a lot less dramatic for Samia as she enjoyed a relaxing getaway as part of her 40th birthday celebrations.
She shared snaps from the peaceful retreat on Instagram and told followers: "The last weekend of my 30s has been well spent. Thank you for our surprise getaway @slongchambon it was so perfect!"
Samia thanked her husband, Sylvain Longchambon, for organising her birthday celebrations - and the dancer has also forged a successful career in showbiz.
Samia was paired with the pro skater on Dancing On Ice in 2012. The couple's relationship blossomed and they married in 2015. The couple share one child named Yves Josphe Longchambon - and Samia has previously said how she believes her late father was responsible for bringing her husband into her life.
During an appearance on Loose Women, she said: "I believe in angels and I always think my dad sent Sylvain to me."
Samia told OK! how she credits her dad's Lebanese heritage for her youthful looks. She said: "My dad passed away when he was 65, he didn't really have wrinkles. I care about my appearance and I'm lucky I don't have any wrinkles but I can tell I look older in the mornings - my face takes longer to wake up.
"I have to get my roots done every month to fend off the greys." The soap star also said she feels the advanced filming schedule of Corrie has made her life go faster.
She added: "We always film six weeks ahead - we shoot Christmas scenes in October - so it's not the number 40 I'm apprehensive about, as I'm still 20 in my head!"
Fans have flooded Samia's social media posts this week in disbelief as they praised Samia's ageless look. One fan said: "You certainly don't look 40."
Ian added: "Last weekend of your 30,s............? . I thought you were about 28!"
Sue posted : "You look so young." And Kirsty said: "40! You look more 20."
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