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Kirkbride of the Coronation Street Bows to Breast Cancer at 60

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Coronation Street popular figure, Anne Kirkbride passes on. Her death yesterday has led to an outpouring of grief from thousands who have 'grown up' with her character Deirdre Barlow and 'can't imagine' the soap without her. 

Over the weekend rumours had begun circulating about her poor health. And yesterday evening the devastating news was released that Anne had lost her battle with breast cancer she suffered at the age of 60. 


For more than 40 years she was one of the most famous faces on TV, after joining the series when she was just 18.

The much-loved star’s illness had been kept a closely guarded secret, with fans told only that she was on extended leave from her role as Deirdre Barlow. Only her husband David Beckett, 62, family and friends were aware of the sad truth.

ITV issued an emotional statement in consultation with heartbroken David.
It 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.”

Co-star William Roache, who played her husband Ken Barlow for many years, said she would be "greatly missed". 
 On-screen couple: Coronation Street actors William Roache, who played Ken Barlow, with Anne Kirkbride, who played Deirdre Barlow, in February 2010. Roache said she was 'such a loving and vibrant person'
Roache said: "I feel Anne's loss so personally having worked closely with her for over 40 years. She was such a loving and vibrant person. You always knew she was there because her laugh was never far away.
"She was an impeccable performer with superb comedy timing and an immense gift for really heightened drama. We had some rows over the years as Ken and Deirdre and it was wonderful to play those scenes opposite her.
"Coronation Street has lost one of its iconic characters and Anne will be greatly missed."


She first appeared on the cobbles in 1972 and her character became loved by millions of viewers. Deirdre was last seen on screen in October, when she decided to leave Weatherfield for a while ahead of her stepson Peter's murder trial.
Executive producer Kieran Roberts said: "There are no words to describe the sense of grief we feel at Anne's passing.

Tribute: Amy Malloy from Manchester lays flowers outside the Salford studios where Corrie is filmed
"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."


 Key storyline: Anne Kirkbride's career on Corrie is unmatched in terms of drama and longevity, pictured here in 1998 with Ken Barlow (Bill Roache) and Mike Baldwin (Johnny Briggs) after her release from prison - a saga that was watched by millions and led to an intervention by Tony Blair who promised to get her released




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