Corrie legend Sue Johnston reveals terrifying sexual assault that still haunts her 50 years later

To exclude, to expel:

Soap legend Sue Johnston has shared how a horrific sexual assault still affects her life, 50 years after the attack. The Royale Family star admits the horrifying experience is something she will ‘never get over’

Brookside actor Sue Johnston says she was sexually assaulted 50 years ago which means she still shivers and steps aside when someone runs up behind her.

Sue, who also stars in The Royle Family, admits she will never get over the attack and says many other women share the same fear.

Sue revealed: “I can’t, even now 50 years later, have someone running after me.

“I have to step aside. I think it’s just an instinct. People do things and they walk away unaware of the impact and horror of how they have affected people’s lives. And it did, it changed your life. ”

Sue, 78, said of the 1970 attack in her autobiography that at the time she feared she would be killed before she fought the attacker and managed to escape.

Then in 1986, she committed a similar assault in Brookside when her character Sheila Grant was raped.

Speaking on Channel 4’s Runaways this week, Sue told friend Sandi Toksvig: “I was sexually assaulted when I was 27 and I never talked about it.

“When they called me and said they were going to do this spin-off, I told them it happened exactly how I was attacked.

“I was so scared that reality would overcome illusions, that I wouldn’t be able to control myself. But it really unleashed something in me that I can talk about. It is a good therapy for me. ”

For the show, the celebrity couple are spending a bonding holiday together in a beach house in Praa Sands, Cornwall, and at an 18th-century fairy-tale cottage in the woods on the Lizard Peninsula near.

Sandi revealed: “There was a surprising conversation where she and I had a cup of tea.

“She started talking very honestly about her life. I thought it wouldn’t be for them to air this because I had tears on my face but it’s the show and I’m proud of it.”

Extraordinary Escape airs on Channel 4 at 9pm tomorrow night.

* If you are a victim of sexual assault, you can access help and resources through www.rapecrisis.org.uk or call the national telephone helpline on 0808 802 9999.