Tears and laughter in final tribute to Anne

Actor William Roache smiles during a lighter moment of the service

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TRIBUTES were paid to Oldham actress Anne Kirkbride at her memorial service in Manchester Cathedral on Saturday.

More than 600 people, including fans, cast mates and producers, turned out for the service for the much-loved actress (60) who died in January following a battle with cancer. She had starred in Coronation Street for 42 years.

Beverley Callard - the show’s Liz McDonald and Anne’s close friend - was one of the speakers at the memorial: “She was just the most wonderful woman. She was strong and sexy and funny and everything you could wish for in a person. Truly, I mean that.

“She was like a stick of dynamite. When she arrived at work you knew she had arrived. We are so thankful she has been in our lives.”

She also recalled how Anne met her husband Dave Beckett on the soap and how the two shared “looks of love” on set.

William Roache, who played her on-screen husband Ken Barlow, read the poem “She is Gone” during the service while Elle Mulvaney (12) - Anne’s screen granddaughter Amy - describing Anne as “caring, lovable and funny”.

The Cathedral’s subdean, Philip Barratt, conducted the service, with hymns performed by Manchester Cathedral choir.