Anne Kirkbride who played Deirdre Barlow in Coronation Street – Britain’s longest running soap story on ITV, has died after keeping her cancer illness a secret from the press, and many others, so the news came as something of a shock to her fans, colleagues and admirers. Some of her Corrie cast members only heard of her death after an announcement from ITV bosses. She first appeared in Corrie at the age of 17 and had been turned down at another audition in Manchester when she was recommended to go for the Coronation Street role and won the part, all those years ago.
Star Bill Roache aged 82, who was her on-screen husband in the series two times over, was with Anne Kirkbride when she died, together with her real-life husband David Beckett and her friend from “The Street” – Bev Callard. Bill said “We will always feel her presence ” and that life would be “bleak” without her.
Bill and Anne worked together for 44 years, and were regarded as very close, and Bill had more information on Anne’s cancer than anyone on the Corrie team, and knew she had not got long to live. Her widow David Beckett, 62 has been discussing a suitable tribute for the star.
Julie Goodyear, fellow Coronation Street star remarked she and Anne were best of friends and that Anne had a professional attitude and was always full of life and fun. She had a photographic memory and Goodyear remarked that she was the only actor she knew who could read a script once and be word perfect.