Deirdre Barlow (Anne Kirkbride)

[Perdita]

Coronation Street will air emotional scenes later this year that will see Deirdre Barlow's loved ones learn that she has passed away.

Anne Kirkbride, who played Deirdre for more than 40 years died in January following a short illness.

Coronation Street producers have since officially confirmed their plans to write out her character with sensitivity, and the sad news of Deirdre's passing will reach the cobbles over the summer.

New details have revealed how Deirdre's family will learn she has died after they throw a party for her to welcome her back to Weatherfield.

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.

Heartbreaking scenes will see Bev break the news that Deirdre has died after suffering a suspected brain aneurysm, The Sun reports.

It was previously confirmed that Susie Blake would be reprising her role as Bev for the storyline.

Bev will go on to explain that Deirdre died "peacefully" in her garden after packing her bags to return to Weatherfield. As Deirdre's friends and family sob, Bev will present her wedding ring to husband Ken (Bill Roache) in a final poignant gesture.

The scenes were filmed earlier this week and reportedly reduced several members of the cast and crew to tears.

It was announced earlier today that Kirkbride will be honoured at this year's British Soap Awards.

Her on-screen husband William Roache and close friend Bev Callard will present the Outstanding Achievement award in memory of the iconic actress, and it will be collected by her real-life husband David Beckett.

[Perdita]

Deirdre Barlow dies on her birthday.

Deirdre Barlow is going to pass away on the day she was due to return to Weartherfield to celebrate her birthday.
Ken and Tracy Barlow arrange a party at the Rovers and eagerly await Deirdre’s return.
But instead of her walking through their front door, it’s her friend Bev Unwin, who breaks the devastating news that she’s dead. Bev explains how she died of a suspected aneurysm while sat in her garden enjoying some sunshine before she headed back to the cobbles.
Bosses have made sure that Deirdre’s death was a peaceful one as Bev assures her devastated husband that she didn’t suffer. She will tell Ken that it looked like she went to sleep and never woke up, and she will reveal how she was in a peaceful place with the birds singing and the sun on her face.
The news comes as a bombshell to Ken and Tracy who will be seen reacting very differently to her death.
While Tracy breaks down and howls in pain, Ken is stunned into silence. They are sure to be emotional scenes that will leave fans across the country in tears.
There will be even more tears at the weekend’s British Soap Awards as Anne Kirkbride is set to win the lifetime achievement award which Bev Callard will present to her husband.

[tammyy2j]

How is Tracy allowed back in the Rovers?

[lizann]

How is Tracy allowed back in the Rovers?

her bad deeds will be forgot and forgiven over deirdre's death

[lizann]

How is Tracy allowed back in the Rovers?

her bad deeds will be forgot and forgiven over deirdre's death

[Perdita]

A public Memorial Service for Anne Kirkbride will take place at Manchester Cathedral on Saturday 30 May 2015.

Respected and much loved by all who came into contact with her, Anne played Coronation Street’s Deirdre Barlow over a 40-year period, and passed away in January this year. Anne’s character first appeared on our TV screens in November 1972 and entertained us each week appearing in over 3,300 episodes. Anne’s final appearance on the programme was in October 2014.

The Cathedral’s Sub Dean, Philip Barratt, will conduct the public service with hymns performed by Manchester Cathedral choir. There will also be readings and tributes by members of the cast including William Roache MBE, Beverley Callard and Elle Mulvaney and Executive Producer, Kieran Roberts together with members of the Coronation Street Production Team.

Anne’s husband Dave Beckett has helped the Coronation Street production team produce the service and has been involved in every aspect of the celebration including the choice of music and readings. The service will be a celebration of Anne’s private and public life with colleagues and members of the public paying their respects. Anne’s passion and verve for life will be present throughout the service.

Photographic images of the actress in her role as Deirdre and photographs taken with her real life family will be on display. An exhibition of artwork which Anne photographed and painted throughout her life will also be on view.

The Manchester Cathedral choir, singing The Lord’s My Shepherd, Hills of the North Rejoice and How Lovely are thy Dwellings, will be conducted by Christopher Stokes, Organist and Master of the Choristers, at Manchester Cathedral.

Musical accompaniment will be provided by Roman Lytwynlw on the violin and James Ellis on the piano. Both are members of the Chetham’s School of Music.

Classical Tenor, Tom Spence, will perform Lucio Dalla’s Caruso during the service. Merseyside based Tom has supported Russell Watson on tour and will be performing at the 2015 International Mersey River Festival in June.

Members of the public are invited to attend the service and join with Anne’s family and the Coronation Street cast and crew in the celebration of Anne’s life.

[Perdita]

Coronation Street boss Stuart Blackburn has spoken about Deirdre Barlow's emotional exit storyline, describing the episodes as "magnificent" and "fitting".

Anne Kirkbride, who played Deirdre for more than 40 years, died in January following a short illness, and bosses have recently confirmed the details of the storyline that will see her character written out with sensitivity.

Speaking at a Coronation Street press event today (May 22), Blackburn said: "The scripts are magnificent, they are really, really magnificent.

"Yes, it is an upsetting experience for all of us for obvious reasons, but I think it is a really fitting tribute to Deirdre.

"The episodes do what these [fire episodes] do. There are tears, there is hurt, there are big issues, but there is humour there - real, real humour. Lock-in back at The Rovers after the funeral is great stuff."

Blackburn also confirmed that Bev Unwin and Peter Barlow will be the only two former characters returning to Weatherfield for Deirdre's funeral.

Susie Blake and Chris Gascoyne have agreed to reprise their roles for the emotional episodes, which will start after Bev arrives on the cobbles to tell Deirdre's loved ones that she has passed away after suffering a suspected brain aneurysm.

[swmc66]

Looks like fire amd Deirdre's passing leads to a character change with Tracy. That would be a good tribute to Deirdre. She always wanted Tracy to be a much better person. But does that mean Tracy gets away with killing people?

[parkerman]

But does that mean Tracy gets away with killing people?

Nothing new there then.

[Perdita]

Deirdre Barlow's ghost is to appear in Coronation Street while Steve McDonald and his new wife Michelle are discussing her passing.

According to The Sun, the late soap stalwart's presence will feature on the show when the pub doors blow open as the couple are talking about Deirdre, who was played by Anne Kirkbride, who died in January after portraying the matriarch for 42 years.

Corrie bosses are said to have used a wind machine to achieve the special effect.

An insider told the publication: "It will be a really spooky moment because it will seem like Deirdre is making her presence felt from beyond the grave.

“Michelle and Steve are talking about her, sharing their memories and their shock at her death, when suddenly the doors swing open with a huge crash.”

Steve (Simon Gregson) and Michelle (Kym Marsh) are set to tie the knot in tonight's episode, but Deirdre's daughter Tracy Barlow (Kate Ford), Steve's ex, is due to wreak havoc.



Anne Kirkbride played Deirdre Barlow in Coronation StreetDeirdre Barlow and Ken Barlow in Coronation Street
Corrie is airing a week of dramatic 9pm episodes which will see a fire rip through Victoria Court.

Earlier this month, it was revealed that Deirdre's family will discover she has died from a suspected brain aneurysm while preparing to hold a welcome home party for her in the Rovers.

She will die "peacefully" in her garden after getting ready to head back to the cobbles.

Deirdre has been staying with her longtime friend Bev Unwin (Susie Blake) who will return to Weatherfield to break the devastating news to Deirdre's husband Ken Barlow (Bill Roache), just as he is making the finishing touches to her party in the Rovers.

Anne's husband David Beckett is said to have given his approval to the heart-wrenching scenes, which will sees Deirdre's daughter Tracy in tears.

This comes after it was revealed a public memorial service for Anne is to take place at Manchester Cathedral on Saturday May 30, which will see Bill and Beverley Callard (Liz McDonald) lead tributes to the legendary actress.

What's more, Anne was recognised with an Outstanding Achievement Award at the British Soap Awards earlier this month.

Mirror TV have contacted Coronation Street for further comment.