Corrie bosses create fitting farewell for Deirdre

Anne Kirkbride

CORONATION Street legend Anne Kirkbride will soon be laid to rest on the ITV soap.

ITV bosses have been talking to the Oldham-born actress’s family to devise a fitting show exit for Anne, who died in January. She had been off screen as Deirdre Barlow since September following her cancer diagnosis.

The star, who honed her acting skills at Oldham Theatre Workshop, played Deirdre for more than 40 years. Her exit storyline will see her character die and be mourned by the cast at what one insider described as the “soap equivalent of a state funeral”.

The 60-year-old actress was one of the soap’s best-known performers, loved by millions for her portrayal of husky-voiced Deirdre.