Anne Kirkbride

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Anne Kirkbride
Born Anne Kirkbride
(1954-06-21) 21 June 1954 (age 58)
Oldham, England
Years active 1972–present
Spouse(s) David Beckett (1992-present)

Anne Kirkbride (born 21 June 1954 in Oldham, Lancashire) is an English actress, best known for her long-running role as Deirdre Barlow in Coronation Street which she has played since 1972.

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Career [edit]

Coronation Street [edit]

Kirkbride was noticed by casting directors for the British soap opera Coronation Street while she did a Jack Rosenthal play for Granada called Another Sunday and Sweet FA (1972). She was offered to play the bit part of Deirdre Hunt in November 1972. After a few appearances, the character's popularity grew and after further appearances in 1973, Kirkbride signed a contract with the serial in 1974. Since then, Deirdre has become synonymous with a scratchy voice (caused by real-life chain smoking) and very big spectacles.

Other television appearances [edit]

In 1998 Kirkbride appeared on This Is Your Life during the same time she was battling severe depression. In 2001, Kirkbride completed a documentary entitled Deirdre & Me.This was a 60 minute special to celebrate her 30th year of playing Deirdre.

In 2007, Kirkbride starred in the first episode of ITV1's You Don't Know You're Born.

Personal life [edit]

Kirkbride is the daughter of Jack Kirkbride, former cartoonist for the Oldham Evening Chronicle.

In 1993, Kirkbride was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Since then, she has spoken to the British press about her bout of depression following the diagnosis. She was cured within a year of being diagnosed.[1]

She has been married to former actor, David Beckett since 1992. They met on the set of Coronation Street, when Beckett joined the cast as her character Deidre's on-screen boyfriend. In 2012, Anne admitted that the couple had an affair with each other.

References [edit]

  1. ^ Roche, Elisa (12 February 2009). "Anne: I may quit Coronation Street". Daily Express. Retrieved 2009-05-20. 

External links [edit]