Anne Kirkbride
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| Anne Kirkbride | |
|---|---|
| Born | Anne Kirkbride 21 June 1954 Oldham, England |
| Years active | 1972–present |
| Spouse | David Beckett |
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 for thirty-nine years.
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[edit] Career
[edit] Coronation Street
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.
[edit] Other television appearances
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.
[edit] Personal life
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]
[edit] References
- ^ Roche, Elisa (12 February 2009). "Anne: I may quit Coronation Street". Daily Express. http://www.dailyexpress.co.uk/posts/view/84449. Retrieved 2009-05-20.
