Irene also enjoyed roles in Dixon of Dock Green, All Creatures Great and Small and many more
Coronation Street star Irene Sutcliffe, who played Betty’s younger sister Maggie Cooke, has died aged 88.
Irene, who The Stage reports passed away on May 3rd, first arrived on the cobbles in 1968 and went on to make over 400 appearances as Maggie until departing in 1975.
Maggie ran the Street’s corner shop with her husband Les Clegg (John Sharp), who was an abusive drunk, which led to the couple splitting.
Maggie’s sister Betty (famously played by Betty Driver), had an illegitimate son, Gordon (originally played by Bill Kenwright and later Geoffrey Leesley) , who Maggie adopted. Maggie later married a second husband, Ron Cooke.
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Burnley-born Irene enjoyed a string of TV roles over the years, including in Dixon of Dock Green, the original Poldark and All Creatures Great and Small.
More recently Irene, who also enjoyed an impressive theatre career, made appearances in Doc Martin and BBC soap Doctors. She also had a role in the cult classic film Withnail & I.
But to Coronation Street fans she will always be Betty’s younger sister, Maggie, who eventually emigrated in the show to Zaire.
Main picture of Irene Sutcliffe as Maggie in Corrie: ITV/REX/Shutterstock
