Corrie stars honour Street legend Anne

MEMORIAL service . . . Anne Kirkbride

READINGS and tributes from cast members feature in the public memorial service to celebrate the life of “Coronation Street” legend Anne Kirkbride at Manchester Cathedral.

The cathedral’s Sub Dean, Philip Barratt, will conduct the service on May 30. There will be readings and tributes by William Roache, Beverley Callard (Liz McDonald) and Elle Mulvaney (Amy Barlow) as well as the soap’s executive producer Kieran Roberts.

Oldhamer Anne, who played Deirdre Barlow for more than 40 years, died in January following a cancer battle.

Her love of acting began with Delph Junior Players, then what was to become Oldham Theatre Workshop before joining the-then Oldham Rep staff as an assistant stage manager. Her late father, Jack, was the Chronicle’s cartoonist until his death in 2006.

Deirdre first appeared on Coronation Street in November 1972, and wwent on to feature in around 3,300 episodes. Anne’s final appearance was in October 2014.

Her husband Dave Beckett - also a former Coronation Street actor - has helped the show’s production team to produce the service and has been involved in every aspect of the celebration.

Photographs of Anne as Deirdre and with her family will be on display - as will an exhibition of the artwork Anne photographed and painted throughout her life.

The Manchester Cathedral Choir will sing hymns “The Lord’s My Shepherd”, “Hills of the North Rejoice” and “How Lovely are thy Dwellings”, with musical accompaniment by a violinist and pianist from Chetham’s School of Music.

twitter: @DawnMarsdenOC