Deirdre Barlow (Anne Kirkbride)

[Perdita]

According to the Daily Mail she suffered from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma , I don't know but does that tie in with Perdita's and your thoughts Sarah c ?. Since then she has suffered from very acute depression . God speed to her for a full recovery and return to corrie if it is that

I am sorry, got it wrong, hope she recovers quickly from whatever is troubling her now.

[Perdita]

According to the Daily Mail she suffered from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma , I don't know but does that tie in with Perdita's and your thoughts Sarah c ?. Since then she has suffered from very acute depression . God speed to her for a full recovery and return to corrie if it is that

I am sorry, got it wrong, hope she recovers quickly from whatever is troubling her now.

[Glen1]

I am sorry, got it wrong, hope she recovers quickly from whatever is troubling her now.

Nothing to say sorry for Perdita , I know very little about the condition but you and Sarah c were both right I think it is a form of cancer that can affect various parts of the body. Sarah c may provide more info. In any case you don't need to say sorry if it had been incorrect, I'd be apologising all the time for some of the crap I post on soapboards.

[sarah c]

It's a form of lymphoma, so cancer if the lymph nodes

But usually if you're given the all clear as Anne has been, you're ok?

[tammyy2j]

I thought she had throat cancer in the past

[Perdita]

Coronation Street bosses have played down reports that Anne Kirkbride is planning to retire.

The long-serving cast member, who plays Deirdre Barlow, has been absent from the ITV show in recent months after deciding to take an extended break.

Anne Kirkbride and Bill Roache on set
© Rex Features / McPix Ltd
Anne Kirkbride with on-screen husband Bill Roache

A report in The Sun on Sunday today (January 18) claimed that Kirkbride is now questioning her future on the cobbles and could quit for good.

However, a Coronation Street spokesperson told Digital Spy: "Anne is currently on extended leave, but we are not aware of any desire to step down permanently from her role as Deirdre Barlow."

Deirdre was last seen on screen in October, when she decided to leave Weatherfield for a while ahead of her stepson Peter's murder trial.

When the stress of the situation became too much, Deirdre's husband Ken (Bill Roache) suggested that she should go to stay with her friend Bev and clear her head.

Kirkbride, 60, has played the role of Deirdre since 1972 and is one of the show's best-loved cast members.

I hope she comes back ... I miss her

[swmc66]

I hope so too but can understand if she has had enough because of her health. It's a shame if its true as they had created a new deirdre that was so funny.

[lizann]

on twitter it is saying she has died

[alan45]

Confirmed by BBC

[lizann]

rest in peace anne