Coronation Street star Anne Kirkbride, who played the character Deirdre Barlow in the long-running television soap, has died aged 60 after a short illness
ITV said the actress, who was in the show for 42 years, passed away peacefully in a Manchester hospital.
Her husband David Beckett and the programme's cast and crew were said to be "heartbroken and deeply saddened".
Co-star William Roache, who played her husband Ken Barlow for many years, said she would be "greatly missed".
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Coronation Street has lost one of its iconic characters and Anne will be greatly missed”
William Roache
Actor who played Ken Barlow
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."."
