Actress Who Played Coronation Street's Deirdre Barlow Dies At 60

Coronation Street star Anne Kirkbride has passed away aged 60.

ITV released a short statement simply saying:

'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.'

The actress, who played Deirdre Barlow for 43 years, announced in September she was taking a three month break from the show. 

She  was expected to make her long-awaited return to Coronation Street this month.

Anne was previously diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 1993, but following successful treatment returned to the soap within 12 months.

Photos: Getty