Anne Kirkbride: Coronation Street co-stars pay their last respects to the TV legend

A small private funeral has been held for Coronation Street legend Anne Kirkbride.

Close colleagues were among those who said farewell to the actress, who played Deirdre Barlow for four decades, following her death last week at the age of 60.

Her husband David Beckett, 62, and her brother John Kirkbride, had requested an ­invitation-only service.


GALLERY: Take a look back at Anne Kirkbride's life in pictures.
 

Bill Roache, Anne’s on-screen husband Ken Barlow, together with Kate Ford (her Street daughter Tracy) and Bev Callard (Rovers landlady Liz McDonald) were among soap stars who paid their respects, while filming on the Coronation Street set was halted.

Anne’s sudden death from cancer after a short illness left her friends and fans in shock.

Hours after her passing, Bill Roache delivered a heartfelt tribute to his co-star.

He said: “Annie was a vibrant presence. She was always loving, always happy.

“To have her as a partner for the past 40 years, I couldn’t have been more blessed.”

Her brother John said: “She was the sort of person who brought light and laughter to everything she did.

“She was the sort of person who brought light and laughter to everything she did, and she brought magic with her into the world."


Source: www.mirror.co.uk