Coronation Street reveals Deirdre Barlow exit storyline

Coronation Street

bosses have confirmed plans to write Deirdre Barlow out of the ITV soap, following the tragic death of actress Anne Kirkbride.

Kirkbride, who played the iconic Weatherfield character for more than 40 years, passed away in January following a short illness, aged 60.

Kirkbride took a short leave of absence from the show before her death, and producers have now confirmed that they plan to sensitively write out the character of Deirdre, with news of her passing reaching the cobbles later this summer.

Deirdre was last seen on screen in October 2014 when she decided to escape the pressures of home life in order to spend some time with her friend Bev Unwin (Susanne Blake).

In scenes filmed earlier this week, her onscreen family will learn she has died after they throw a party for her to welcome her back to Weatherfield, The Sun reports.

Susanne Blake has confirmed that she will reprise her former role for the scenes, which will see Bev that Deirdre died “peacefully” in her garden after packing her bags to return to Weatherfield. As Deirdre’s friends and family come to terms with the news, Bev will present her wedding ring to husband Ken (Bill Roache) in a final poignant gesture.

It was announced also earlier today that Kirkbride will be honoured at this year’s British Soap Awards, where onscreen husband William Roache and close friend Bev Callard will present the Outstanding Achievement award in memory of the iconic actress to her husband David.

Meanwhile, ealier this week it was announced that former X Factor star Shayne Ward is to join the cast of the long-running soap as Aidan Connor, a distant cousin of Michelle’s.

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