Samia Longchambon "still looks up to" Jane Danson after 25 years of friendship.
The 36-year-old actress has paid tribute to her ‘Coronation Street’ co-star – who plays Leanne Battersby on the soap – on her 40th birthday today (08.11.18), and admits she is "lucky" to have the upcoming ‘Dancing on Ice’ contestant in her life.
She wrote on Instagram: "Happy 40th birthday to my diamond of a #BFF @realjanedanson ..25 years of friendship in and I still look up to you! Beautiful inside and out always! With each other through all life’s good and bad bits, I’m a lucky girl to have you in my life…can’t wait to celebrate this weekend!! Love you Jane (sic)"
Catherine Tyldesley – who played Jane’s on-screen half-sister Eva Price for seven years on the cobbles until earlier this year – also sent the star her well wishes, admitting she is the "one of the most beautiful souls" anyone could ever meet.
She wrote: "Happy Birthday to my gorgeous sister @realjanedanson – one of the most beautiful souls inside and out you could ever wish to meet. Love you so much darling girl. Have the BEST day xxxxx (sic)"
Jane’s husband Robert Beck – who she married in 2005 – took to social media to wish his "amazing" wife a happy birthday, and jokingly compared one of her recent outfits to one she wore when she was a youngster.
He wrote: "Happy 40th Birthday to my @RealJaneDanson wife..! Such an amazing woman …She can even fit in all her old clothes ….xxxx (sic)"