Why I'll always love Deirdre Barlow

From @CorrrieArt on twitter (www.corrie-art.co.uk)

There will never be another Deirdre Barlow.  Deirdre was your normal, average, everywoman type of character. Or, as normal and everyday as the world of soap will allow. Life had a way of flinging itself at her and she took it all, stoically. When life got her down, she had a fag in the ginnel, a little cry and then pulled herself together to carry on with another day.

When you think of Deirdre, you don't think of the catchphrase lines of dialogue that some of the other big Corrie characters were given.  Her catchphrase was her sigh, her resigned-to-life sigh, her 'Oh Ken" and "Oh Tracy, luv", her husband and daughter two of the most important people in her life.

Deirdre's life revolved around her family and home. She was stuck with Ken, and she knew it. She had a murderess for a daughter but still loved her.  She knew she would one day end up like her mother, and her scenes with Blanche were some of the best Coronation Street have had. Deirdre made the most of what life flung at her, and took happiness where she could - with Mike, with Dev, with Samir. But ultimately, and always, with Ken.

Some of us reading this might have grown up with Deirdre. I know she's always been a part of my life.  It's so terribly, awfully, sad that the actress who has played her has passed away. We have lost one of not just Coronation Street's greatest actors, but one of the UK's finest. She will never be forgotten.

And now, I'm going to go into the ginnel for a little cry and a fag.  And then I'll pull myself together and carry on.

Anne Kirkbride: Obituary 

Audio tributes

Blogger Llifon's tribute

Blogger Clinkers' Sadness on the Street

Blogger Emma's Tribute to Deirdre Barlow

Corrie writer Damon Rochefort's radio tribute to Anne Kirkbride

ITV to repeat Deirdre and Me: A Tribute

William Roache's emotional tribute to Anne Kirkbride at NTAs, and EastEnders dedicate their win to The Weatherfield One. Watch both here.

Anne Kirkbride to be honoured at the National TV Awards 2015
 
Official ITV press release

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