The storyline every Coronation Street fan has been dreading is upon us – Deirdre Barlow’s death and funeral.
Deirdre was played by Anne Kirkbride for more than 40 years and her co-stars were devastated when she passed away earlier this year after being diagnosed with cancer.
Anne Kirkbride as Deirdre Barlow (ITV)
In soapland, Deirdre has been off screen supposedly staying with a friend, but her final storyline is about to unfold as it’s announced that she has died.
We take a look back over our favourite moments from Deirdre – Corrie will never be the same again without her.
Deirdre’s debut – 20 November 1972
Deirdre debuts in Corrie (ITV)
Businessman Jimmy Frazer brings 17-year-old typist Deirdre Hunt along to his lunch meeting at The Vine, hoping her attentions will soften up his partner Alan Howard – husband of the formidable Elsie, who turns up to keep an eye on things and throws a few catty insults at Deirdre.
Lorry Crash – 12 March 1979
The terrifying lorry crash that almost killed Tracy as a baby (ITV)
A devastated Deirdre Langton fears daughter Tracy is dead in the rubble when a lorry crashes into the front of the Rovers Return – at exactly the spot where Tracy’s pram had been left outside.
Wedding Belle – 27 July 1981
Ken and Deirdre marry for the first time (ITV)
Deirdre’s first wedding to Ken Barlow takes place during the same week as the Royal wedding of the Prince of Wales and Diana Spencer. Deirdre removes her famous spectacles for the occasion.
Love Triangle – 21 February 1983
Ken, Deirdre and Mike’s love triangle (ITV)
The culmination of the famous Ken/Deirdre/Mike Baldwin love triangle results in an angry Ken losing his temper with Deirdre, when Mike turns up on their doorstep following her frank confession.
Wendy Crozier – 22 December 1989
Deirdre confronts Ken over his affair (ITV)
Deirdre finally pieces together the clues and confronts Ken about his affair with council mole Wendy Crozier, delivering the classic line, “I want to know where you’ve been – and who with”. Ken promptly burst into tears and the couple’s split kept the audience gripped over the festive period.
Foreign Affair – 2 June 1995
Deirdre says a tearful goodbye to Samir (ITV)
Deirdre’s third marriage, to Moroccan toyboy Samir Rachid, comes to a premature end as Samir dies from injuries sustained when he’s attacked en route to the hospital to donate a kidney to drug-addled Tracy. Deirdre grants permission for the operation to go ahead and weeps as Samir’s body is taken into theatre.
Free Deirdre – 29 March 1998
Free the Weatherfield One (ITV)
After being masterfully framed by bogus airline pilot Jon Lindsay, Deirdre is found guilty of fraud and sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment – prompting her infamous courtroom protest, “I didn’t do any of it!” and the nationwide Free The Weatherfield One campaign, which at its peak even involved Jack Straw and Tony Blair.
Ohhh Dev – 25 December 2001
Dev and Deirdre’s night of passion (ITV)
Following a blazing row with Ken’s son Peter, Deirdre seeks solace in a Christmas tryst with Dev Alahan, her boss at the Corner Shop, on whom she’s harboured a crush for months. Her one-off infidelity remains a secret from Ken for more than a year, until daughter Tracy finally uncovers the truth.
A dark night of the soul – 25 March 2007
Deirdre and Tracy strike a bargain (ITV)
On the eve of her murder trial, Tracy confesses to her horrified mother that she did indeed plan to deliberately kill her boyfriend Charlie Stubbs. Old wounds are reopened as the women lay bare their volatile relationship, and Tracy implores Deirdre to lie in court to back up her story of self-defence.
'Jelly shouldn’t run, it should wobble' – 8 October 2014
Deirdre’s final scene (ITV)
Feeling the pressure in the build-up to Peter’s trial for Tina McIntyre’s murder, Deirdre erupts during a family meal, hurling a trifle at the wall before heading off to visit her friend Bev Unwin for a break, in what would turn out to be her final episode.
