The 82-year-old former Coronation Street actress entered Channel 5’s famous abode last night as the oldest contestant of the series so far and revealed she was drawn to the pay check to help her with care home costs in the future.

Ahead of appearing on the show, she told The Mirror: “I had no intention of doing it [Celebrity Big Brother], but then I thought it could pay for my care home. It would be nice to have that independence."

She added: “What keeps me working? I think it's occupational therapy to stop me thinking about death, really.”

The soap icon also joked that she felt she had packed her bags to go to a care home instead of the show.

She continued: “I did have this moment when my partner, Hilary, put me in the car with two suitcases where I thought, ‘Are you sure you're going to Big Brother or has she sent you packing to a care home now?’” 

Amanda claimed it was a “miracle” to get up the stairs to enter the Borehamwood mansion during last night’s launch show.

She said: “All I can say is that it's a bl***y miracle I got up those stairs.”

The Carry on Cleo star previously spoke about her fears of getting older on an episode of ITV’s This Morning.

She said: “Once you get to 80, it doesn’t matter what your career's been like. It doesn’t matter if it was c**p.

“Once you get to 80 if you can use a knife and fork they say, ‘Isn’t she marvellous?'"

Speaking to hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield, she teased: "You two will never be old as you’ll still be giggling into your grave.”

Amanda entered the house alongside an all-female line-up to celebrate 100 years of women having the right to vote.

The TV veteran was greeted by Ann Widdecombe, 70, Boris Johnson’s sister Rachel, 52 and former Made In Chelsea star Ashley James, 30.

Celebrity Big Brother continues tonight at 9pm on Channel 5.