This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-32942539

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Service for Coronation Street star Anne Kirkbride at Manchester Cathedral Anne Kirkbride: Tributes paid to 'loveable' Coronation Street star
(35 minutes later)
A memorial service for Coronation Street actress Anne Kirkbride has been held at Manchester Cathedral. Tributes have been paid to "loveable and funny" Anne Kirkbride - during a memorial service for the Coronation Street actress at Manchester Cathedral.
Stars of the programme, both past and present, were among those to pay tribute to Kirkbride - who played Deirdre Barlow in the ITV soap for 42 years. Stars - both past and present - of the ITV soap were among 600 people to attend the service for Kirkbride, who played Deirdre Barlow for 42 years.
She died in January, aged 60, following a battle with cancer.She died in January, aged 60, following a battle with cancer.
Beverley Callard, who plays Liz McDonald in the soap, said: "We are so thankful she has been in our lives." Beverley Callard, who plays Liz McDonald in the soap, said" "We are so thankful she has been in our lives."
Cast members, including William Roache - Kirkbride's on screen husband Ken Barlow - were among about 600 people who attended the service. 'Stick of dynamite'
Kirkbride was like "a stick of dynamite" in that everyone would know when she arrived in the building, Callard added.
She told the service it was "fantastic" there was "so much love in one room for one person".
She joked: "That smoking shelter at work will never be the same again."
William Roache - Kirkbride's on screen husband Ken Barlow - gave a reading of the David Harkins poem She Is Gone.
Elle Mulvaney, who plays Amy Barlow in the programme, paid tribute to "my on-screen grandma".
Mulvaney, 12, said Kirkbride had always made "everyone laugh on set", saying: "The hours soon passed by very quickly."
"Annie always had everyone laughing and groaning at times when she was singing on set at the top of her voice," she added.
The show's executive producer Kieran Roberts said Kirkbride had been "warm, kind-hearted, generous, spirited, talented and fun-loving".
He described her as "a consummate professional" who had the gift of making everyone feel special around her.
'Light, laughter and love'
"Annie we thank you for bringing so much light, laughter and love into all our lives for all those years," he added.
Kirkbride started in Coronation Street in 1972 as Deirdre Hunt. In the 1980s, one of the soap's most famous storylines hinged on whether she would stay with Ken Barlow. She was married four times in the programme, twice to Ken.Kirkbride started in Coronation Street in 1972 as Deirdre Hunt. In the 1980s, one of the soap's most famous storylines hinged on whether she would stay with Ken Barlow. She was married four times in the programme, twice to Ken.
Deirdre Barlow had been off screen for some months prior to Kirkbride's death, while the actress was given a break by the show's producers.Deirdre Barlow had been off screen for some months prior to Kirkbride's death, while the actress was given a break by the show's producers.
The Cathedral's subdean, Philip Barratt, conducted the service, with hymns performed by Manchester Cathedral choir.The Cathedral's subdean, Philip Barratt, conducted the service, with hymns performed by Manchester Cathedral choir.
There were readings and tributes from members of the cast and executive producer Kieran Roberts, as part of a celebration of Kirkbride's life. Along with readings and tributes from members of the cast and executive producer Kieran Roberts, as part of a celebration of Kirkbride's life.
Her actor husband Dave Beckett helped the Coronation Street team produce the service and was involved in every aspect of the celebration, including the choice of music and readings.Her actor husband Dave Beckett helped the Coronation Street team produce the service and was involved in every aspect of the celebration, including the choice of music and readings.
Images of the actress in her role as Deirdre and photographs taken with her real life family were on display.Images of the actress in her role as Deirdre and photographs taken with her real life family were on display.
An exhibition of artwork which Kirkbride photographed and painted throughout her life has also been set up.An exhibition of artwork which Kirkbride photographed and painted throughout her life has also been set up.