The ‘Coronation Street’ team have been working to carefully craft the perfect farewell for Deirdre Barlow, following Anne Kirkbride’s death earlier this year, and now, the character’s final storyline has been revealed.
The farewell scenes were filmed earlier this week, and many of the show’s stars were left in tears after an emotional time on set, according to reports.
Anne Kirkbride
Deidre was last seen on screen last October, when the stress of her son Peter’s trial led to her taking a break from Weatherfield.
In scenes which are expected to air in the coming months, the Barlows will be seen getting ready to welcome Deidre back, when Bev - played by Susie Blake, who is reprising her role as a one-off - arrives with some tragic news.
“Ken will be seen writing a card addressed to ‘My darling wife’ before everyone gathers at the Rovers, ready to welcome Deirdre home,” a source tells The Sun. “But just before, Bev turns up and reveals that Deirdre has died.
“Tracy [Kate Ford] just breaks down and howls as Steve [Simon Gregson] comforts her, and Ken sits there in stunned silence.
“The scenes will be absolutely heartbreaking to watch. Bosses devoted a lot of time and effort to ensuring Deirdre’s death was both sensitively explained and befitting a ‘Corrie’ legend.”
‘Corrie’ bosses worked with Anne’s family to give her iconic character a fitting send-off and tribute, and Chris Gascoyne, who plays Peter, is returning to the soap especially, in order to say goodbye.
Speaking on ‘Lorraine’ earlier this month, Chris admitted that he’s hoping the episodes can bring some “closure”, adding: “It's all about Deirdre and the way it's affected Peter, Tracy and Ken and, you know, hopefully we can do Annie proud."
Anne has received a posthumous British Soap Award nomination for her final scene. Watch it again below...
