Coronation Street star Anne Kirkbride has died aged 60 after a short illness, it was announced tonight.
Kirkbride, who joined the soap in the early 1970s and played Deirdre Barlow for 44 years, appeared in 1,439 episodes of the series.
An ITV spokesman said: 'It is with great sadness that David Beckett has confirmed tonight that his beloved wife and Coronation Street actress Anne Kirkbride has passed away peacefully in a Manchester hospital after a short illness.
'David and the programme's cast and crew are heartbroken and deeply saddened at the loss of Anne who has been a Coronation Street icon for 44 years.'
Executive producer Kieran Roberts added: 'There are no words to describe the sense of grief we feel at Anne's passing.
‘We know only too acutely how much Anne meant to the millions of people who watched her create the legendary character of Deirdre Barlow.
'She will be greatly missed by the Coronation Street team who share happy memories of working with her. We feel blessed and honoured to have known her. Our thoughts are with David and their family.'
ITV director of television Peter Fincham echoed Mr Roberts’s thoughts, saying: 'Anne has been a truly loyal servant to Coronation Street since joining the programme in the early 1970s.
‘She created a unique and unforgettable character in Deirdre Barlow and she'll be greatly missed on and off screen. Our sincerest condolences to Anne's husband David and her family at this very sad time.'
Coronation Street creator Tony Warren said: 'Anne was very easy to love. Her talent over the years made a massive contribution to Coronation Street.'
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