TV & Radio

Coronation Street actress Anne Kirkbride dies after short illness

Actress who played character of Deirdre Barlow was 60 years of age

Coronation Street actress Anne Kirkbride, who played Deirdre Barlow, has died after a short illness. Photograph: PA

Mon Jan 19 2015 - 21:38

Coronation Street star Anne Kirkbride — who played the part of the "legendary" Deirdre Barlow — has died.

Kirkbride, 60, who starred in the long-running soap for 44 years, died in a Manchester hospital after a short illness.

A statement on the ITV website said her husband David Beckett and the programme's cast and crew are "heartbroken and deeply saddened".

Coronation Street actors William Roache, who played Ken Barlow with Anne Kirkbride, who played Deirdre Barlow, as she has died after a short illness. Photograph: PA

Coronation Street actress Anne Kirkbride, who played Deirdre Barlow, has died after a short illness, her husband David Beckett said tonight. Photograph: PA

Executive producer Kieran Roberts said: “There are no words to describe the sense of grief we feel at Anne’s passing.

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“We know only too acutely how much Anne meant to the millions of people who watched her create the legendary character of Deirdre Barlow.

“She will be greatly missed by the Coronation Street team who share happy memories of working with her.

“We feel blessed and honoured to have known her. Our thoughts are with David and their family.”

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