Coronation Street’s Anne Kirkbride was a big part of the soap playing Deirdre Barlow more than 40 years so it’s only fitting that the show’s bosses have made a touching tribute to the actress who died earlier this year in January.
Anne, who lost her battle with cancer at 60, will be remembered forever on set because it’s been decided to keep her name on her dressing room door.
Her dressing room is now being used by Beverley Callard, who plays Liz McDonald on the soap, but Anne’s name will remain there.
Brooke Vincent, who plays Sophie Webster in the soap, told The Sun: “Anne is still there, she is still around us. Every time we pass her dressing room we see her name and it has been decided that her name will stay there.”
Meanwhile, executive producer Keiran Roberts has revealed that the residents of Weatherfield will be saying a final farewell to Anne’s character later this year.
“Anne was a wonderful woman, and a wonderful actress. We all miss her terribly,” he said. “At the moment, we’re respecting her memory. We’re talking to her family and respecting the family’s wishes, but what I can tell fans of the show is that we will be saying farewell to the character on screen later this year.”
Kieran added: “The exact plans are not yet finalised, but that will certainly happen. It’s important that, in the real world, the family are able to say farewell to the woman. We absolutely support and respect all of that.”
