Liz Dawn says the "heart" of ‘Coronation Street’ has been "ripped out" following the death of Anne Kirkbride.
The former Corrie actress, who played Vera Duckworth on the ITV soap for 34 years, has spoken out following the news that Anne, 60 – who starred as Deirdre Barlow for over 40 years – passed away last night (19.01.15) after a short illness.
She said: "It’s like the heart of the show has been ripped out because she was so well loved by the cast and crew and by the millions of viewers who watched it.
"She was so lovely and I feel so sad. I’m shocked because she had previously beaten illness and she showed such courage and spirit."
Anne – who admitted she struggled with depression after battling a rare form of cancer called non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma – decided to take three months off work last year due to "personal issues" and Liz, 75, admits she was unaware her former co-star was again suffering with health problems.
She added to the Daily Mirror newspaper: "I didn’t realise she was ill, it was such a shock to hear that another illness had come and taken her away at such a young age.
"After going through so much, I’m so shocked to find that something else has come and taken her away from us."
Anne’s husband David Beckett and the cast and crew of ‘Coronation Street’ were last night (19.01.15) said to be "heartbroken and deeply saddened" by the loss.
Liz Dawn ‘shocked’ by Anne Kirkbride’s death
