Beverley Callard's Corrie Breakdown

The actress - who plays tarty landlady Liz McDonald in the ITV1 soap - was absent from the show for five months in 2009 because she was secretly seeking treatment at the Priory Clinic in Cheshire for "serious" depression.

The 52-year-old star battled the crippling illness last year when her 'Coronation Street' alter-ego went on a lengthy holiday to Spain to visit her son, but is now well on the way to recovery.

She said: "I've had some terribly dark times recently. Being able to recover out of the spotlight has hugely helped me and meant that I could return to work last year whilst still receiving treatment as an outpatient."

The TV star - who claims her breakdown was triggered by the stress caused when her pub in Hale Barns, Cheshire went bust recently - is still being treated as an outpatient and has since teamed up with mental health charity Mind to raise awareness of mental health issues.

She said: "Now I feel able to speak about what I went through and thank everyone for their support. I have been speaking to the mental health charity Mind about lending my support to the work they do. I feel it is really important to try and help lift the stigma that makes life so difficult for the one in four people who experience mental health problems."

A 'Coronation Street' spokesman insisted cast and crew have been very supportive of Beverley.

He added: "Everyone at ITV has been behind Beverley through this very difficult time."