Sad news this evening.
Actress Anne Kirkbride, who is most famous for her role as Deirdre Barlow in Coronation Street, has sadly passed away today after a short illness. She was 60 years of age.
ITV released a statement this evening which read: “It is with great sadness that David Beckett has confirmed tonight that his beloved wife and Coronation Street actress Anne Kirkbride has passed away peacefully in a Manchester hospital after a short illness.
“David and the programme’s cast and crew are heartbroken and deeply saddened at the loss of Anne who has been a Coronation Street icon for 44 years.”
Kirkbride joined the cast of Coronation Street in 1972 and played the character of Deirdre Barlow, originally Deirdre Hunt, until September of last year.
She had been due to return to show early this year having been granted an extended period of time off.
She will be sorely missed.
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