Coronation Street star Anne Kirkbride, who played the part of the “legendary” Deirdre Barlow, has died after a short illness. Here we remember just a few of her Coronation Street highlights.
1. 1979
A lorry crashes into the front of the Rovers Return – and Deirdre fears daughter Tracy is buried under the wreckage. A hysterical Deirdre claws at the piles of spilled planks, fearing the worst – but it turns out Tracy is safe.
2. 1983
High drama as Ken learns about Deirdre’s fling with Mike Baldwin. “You never wanted me, Ken,” she tearfully tells her husband – before actor Bill Roache gets his hands around Deirdre’s neck.
3. 1994
Some good news for Deirdre, for a change, as she finds love with Moroccan toyboy Samir Rachid on holiday. They marry.
4. 1995
Samir offers to donate a kidney to Tracy, who needs a transplant. But Samir is attacked on the way to hospital and Deirdre is forced to decide to switch off his life support.
5. 1998
Deirdre is sent to prison after a former lover implicates her in a bank fraud scheme. A tabloid newspaper campaign on her behalf is swiftly mounted – and even Tony Blair called for Deirdre to be freed. Her jail ordeal lasts three weeks.
6. 2005
Wedding bells, again, for Deirdre as she remarries Ken. But her former husband, Ray Langton, dies at the reception at the Rovers.
7. 2007
Deirdre is devastated when Tracy is accused of murdering her boyfriend, Charlie. Tracy is found guilty and sent to prison
8. 2010
Deirdre mourns the death of her mother, Blanche. But there is some good news – Tracy is released early from prison.
9. 2010
In an eventful year, Deirdre comes to blows with Gail after Deirdre’s kiss with conman Lewis Archer – who was romantically involved with Audrey Roberts – is exposed. She gets a face full of cake as the pair come to blows.
10. 2012
Deirdre suffers a setback when husband Ken spends time with his former lover Wendy Papadopoulos. But Deirdre puts up a fight for Ken.
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