Coronation Street actress Anne Kirkbride has died aged 60 after a short illness, ITV bosses have confirmed. The star, who had played character Deirdre for 44 years in the hit TV soap, "passed away peacefully in a Manchester hospital" on Monday evening.
"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," read a statement from the soap.
"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. "Soon after the news broke, Anne's former colleagues took to Twitter to pay tribute to the star.
HELLO! Online blogger, Michelle Keegan was one the first to react to the sad news.
"So so sad. Devastating news. Love you Annie. The nation is now in mourning... ? xxx," read her tweet.
William Roache who played Anne’s onscreen husband Ken Barlow 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." Anne is survived by her husband, David, her brother John, and his family.