Coronation Street stars take to Twitter to pay tribute to Anne Kirkbride

Twitter is packed with tributes to Anne Kirkbride this evening after news broke that the Coronation Street star has passed away aged 60 following a short illness.

The actress – who played Deirdre Barlow for over 40 years – was adored by viewers and her co-stars past and present, with William Roache, her on-screen husband Ken, releasing a statement following news of her death:

“I feel Anne’s loss so personally having worked closely with her for over 40 years. She was such a loving and vibrant person. You always knew she was there because her laugh was never far away.

“She was an impeccable performer with superb comedy timing and an immense gift for really heightened drama. We had some rows over the years as Ken and Deirdre and it was wonderful to play those scenes opposite her. Coronation Street has lost one of its iconic characters and Anne will be greatly missed.”

Many of Kirkbride’s co-stars shared Roache’s sentiments, taking to the social networking site to pay their respects to the late actress:

Heartbroken at the loss of my friend and beautiful on screen mummy. The most crazy funny 100 per cent human. My life was enriched by her

— kate ford (@kateford76) January 19, 2015

Rip Annie beautiful woman inside & out xxx#devastated #corriefamily

— Alan Halsall (@alanhalsall) January 19, 2015

#rip Anne. A huge loss to so many. Sympathies to all who knew and loved her . We'll miss you so much lovely lady xxxx

— Catherine Tyldesley (@Cath_Tyldesley) January 19, 2015

Such sad news. Rest in peace Annie x

— Jennie McAlpine (@jenniemcalpine) January 19, 2015

So so sad. Devastating news. Love you Annie. The nation is now in mourning… ???? xxx

— michelle keegan (@michkeegan) January 19, 2015

Thank you everyone. As you can imagine, we're all in complete shock. She was our friend as well as our colleague and we'll miss her so much

— Antony Cotton (@antonycotton) January 19, 2015

A big character on and off set – a force of nature and a wonderful soul. So very sorry hear the news and big love to @itvcorrie #RIPAnnie

— Natalie Gumede (@NatalieGumede) January 19, 2015

RIP Anne Kirkbride you will be missed so much #legend x

— Andrew whyment (@andywhyment81) January 19, 2015

#RIP to a wonderful unforgettable lady.. Anne Kirkbride . We will miss you so very much x

— Samia Longchambon (@realsamia) January 19, 2015

Cannot describe how devastated we all are. Sleep tight gorgeous lady we will miss you ridiculous amounts RIP Annie x

— Kym Marsh (@msm4rsh) January 19, 2015

So sad. We'll miss you so much Annie x #jellytots #sheknows xxx

— debbie rush (@debbie_rush) January 19, 2015

Devastated to hear the news. Anne Kirkbride – RIP we have lost a legend

— Paula_Lane (@lane_paula) January 19, 2015

Rest In Peace My Beautiful Super Stylish Annie… #corriefamily #gutted ????

— Brooke Levi Vincent ???? (@BrookeLVincent) January 19, 2015

My ❤️aches 2night. My thoughts &prayers go out 2all who knew the phenomenal Anne Kirkbride, I am honoured 2have known&worked with u #RIP ???? x

— Nikki Sanderson (@NikkiSanderson) January 19, 2015

Devastated to hear the news. Anne Kirkbride – RIP we have lost a legend

— Paula_Lane (@lane_paula) January 19, 2015

My beautiful darling friend, Anne Kirkbride, passed away in a room filled with love. God Bless, my Darling Girl! Peace and rest!

— Beverley Callard (@Beverleycallard) January 19, 2015

Im still in shock that Anne Kirkbride has passed away. This woman never failed to make me smile. She will be missed ❤️❤️❤️ #legend

— Georgia May Foote (@georgiafoote) January 19, 2015

Im still in shock that Anne Kirkbride has passed away. This woman never failed to make me smile. She will be missed ❤️❤️❤️ #legend

— Georgia May Foote (@georgiafoote) January 19, 2015

They were joined on Twitter by a steady stream of tweeters from rival soaps…

Such sad news about Anne Kirkbride. My thoughts are with her family and all the Corrie cast and crew.

— Adam Woodyatt (@AdamWoodyatt) January 19, 2015

Very, very sad news about Anne Kirkbride. Thoughts with her family and everyone at Corrie.

— Mark Charnock (@markcharnock) January 19, 2015

Just heard the sad news about Anne Kirkbride. She and Corrie created one of TV's greatest ever characters. Classy, iconic and legendary. RIP

— DomTreadwellCollins (@dominictc) January 19, 2015

Sad news from across Pennines about Anne Kirkbride. She was a legend. Always stopped for a chat. Rest In Peace x

— Dominic Brunt (@dominicbrunt) January 19, 2015

But it wasn’t just soap stars paying their respects – plenty more famous faces went online to share their shock and favourite memories of the much-loved actress…

Anne Kirkbride RIP. A part of our lives whether you knew her or not. She created such an iconic character. pic.twitter.com/psCnxCPb43

— Paddy McGuinness (@PaddyMcGuinness) January 19, 2015

"I think it's about time somebody bought me another drink"

I believe that was Deirdre Barlow's first line in #Corrie.

Bye Anne Kirkbride

— Charlene White (@CharleneWhite) January 19, 2015

Really sad news that Corrie soap legend #AnneKirkbride has passed away – a sad day – and a great loss of a solid gold tv icon x

— russell tovey (@russelltovey) January 20, 2015

Just heard the very sad news of Anne Kirkbride.
Much love to her family & friends. Xxx

— Vicky McClure (@Vicky_McClure) January 19, 2015

So sad to hear Anne Kirkbride has passed away. Grown up with Deidrie Barlow. Thoughts with her friends and family. #Corrie

— Adil Ray OBE (@adilray) January 19, 2015

Just checked my phone and have heard of the sad loss of the wonderful Anne Kirkbride. My deepest condolences to the #Corrie family x

— Phillip Schofield (@Schofe) January 19, 2015

Not Anne Kirkbride now.Sad,sad news Lovely lady.God bless her. pic.twitter.com/VYmBI83eu7

— John Challis (@BeingBoycie) January 19, 2015

OMG RIP Anne Kirkbride (Dierdre Barlow) So young to leave us

— Duncan Bannatyne (@DuncanBannatyne) January 19, 2015

So very sad to hear of death of Anne Kirkbride – Thoughts with her husband and family and everyone who loved her.
Corrie legend.

— Lorraine (@reallorraine) January 19, 2015