BREAKING: Coronation Street Actress Anne Kirkbride Dies Aged 60

Anne Kirkbride, best known for her role as Deirdre Barlow in Coronation Street has passed away aged 60. The actress, who has played the character since 1972, was granted extended leave last year after a gruelling schedule on the ITV soap. The soap confirmed the sad news on its Twitter account.

It is with great sadness that we can confirm that Coronation Street actress Anne Kirkbride has passed away http://t.co/c6uS0DwgvQ — Coronation Street (@itvcorrie) January 19, 2015

Anne's husband David Beckett said that his beloved wife had "passed away peacefully in a Manchester hospital after a short illness". "There are no words to describe the sense of grief we feel at Anne's passing," said Executive Producer Kieran Roberts. "We know only too acutely how much Anne meant to the millions of people who watched her create the legendary character of Deirdre Barlow. "She will be greatly missed by the Coronation Street team who share happy memories of working with her. We feel blessed and honoured to have known her. Our thoughts are with David and their family."