Anne Kirkbride: Coronation Street suspends filming in tribute to late Deirdre Barlow actress
The much-loved TV star died yesterday aged 60 after a short illness
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Your support makes all the difference.Filming has been suspended on Coronation Street today as a mark of respect to much-loved late cast member Anne Kirkbride.
The actress, known for playing Deirdre Barlow on the long-running soap, died yesterday aged 60 after suffering from a short illness.
ITV has confirmed that cast members were sent home from shooting earlier, but many stayed on set to remember their favourite times with Kirkbride, who first joined the show 42 years ago.
“We know how much Anne meant to the millions of people who watched her create the legendary character of Deirdre Barlow,” said executive producer Kieran Roberts. “There are no words to describe the sense of grief we feel.
“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 her husband David Beckett and their family.”
William Roache, who played Kirkbride's on-screen husband Ken, led tributes from the Street. “[Anne] was such a loving and vibrant person. You always knew she was there because her laugh was never far away,” he said.
“She was an impeccable performer with superb comic timing and an immense gift for really heightened drama. Coronation Street has lost one of its iconic characters and Anne will be greatly missed.”
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