Screen husband Ken pays awards tribute to Corrie legend Anne

Date published: 22 January 2015


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Late “Coronation Street” actress Anne Kirkbride took centre stage at the National Television Awards as colleagues and rivals paid tribute.

The star’s screen husband William Roache — who worked with her for 40 years — declared “I love you Anne” after speaking warmly of his “vibrant, warm-hearted, loving” colleague in a speech that left many in tears.

Street colleagues including Barbara Knox and Sally Dynevor attended the ceremony despite still grieving, and just a day after filming on the soap was abandoned as the cast came to terms with their loss.

Roache, standing beneath a huge image of Anne’s face, told guests from the TV world: “I feel so blessed, honoured and privileged to have had those years working with Anne. What we’ll remember the most is the vibrant, warm-hearted, loving person who came to work each day, gave us all a hug and brightened up our lives.

“Together with Anne’s brother John and his family, David, and her Coronation Street family, and especially Beverley Callard — who was very close to Anne in her last days — we’ve been deeply touched by the outpouring of love for Anne since she passed away on Monday evening.”

His voice trembling with emotion, he said: “We share your grief and sadness at losing such a beautiful person who’ll be so greatly missed by us all.”

He added: “I love you, Anne. Thank you.”

As EastEnders beat Corrie to the best soap prize, actor Adam Woodyatt said his show would be nothing without its ITV competitor.

In reference to the celebrated storyline in which Kirkbride’s character, Deirdre, was wrongly jailed, Woodyatt said: “If you don’t mind, we’d like to accept this for the Weatherfield One.”