The stars of ‘Coronation Street’ cried tears of laughter at Anne Kirkbride’s memorial service when the theme tune to rival soap ‘EastEnders’ was played.
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A few bars of the BBC soap’s famous music were played as a spoof version of the closing music at the ceremony held in Manchester on Saturday.
Six hundred people, including members of Corrie’s cast and crew, filled the city’s Cathedral to pay tribute to the Deirdre Barlow actress, who died of cancer in January at the age of 60.
The order of service
Beverley Callard, who plays Liz McDonald in the soap told the audience: “Dave [Beckett, her real life husband] made Annie’s life complete. Not only was he her husband but also her dearest friend.
“That meant everything. It made her an even better actress because she always knew at the end of the day she could go home and be herself, and be loved, and be enveloped in her gorgeous family.
“We are so thankful she has been in our lives.”
She added: “That smoking shelter at work will never be the same again.”
Anne Kirkbride's memorial Service
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Beverley Callard gives a reading at a memorial service for Coronation Street star Anne Kirkbride at Manchester Cathedral. (credit:Steve Allen/Manchester Evening News/PA Wire)
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Sue Johnston (left) attends a memorial service for Coronation Street star Anne Kirkbride at Manchester Cathedral. (credit:Steve Allen/Manchester Evening News/PA Wire)
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A memorial service for Coronation Street star Anne Kirkbride is held at Manchester Cathedral. (credit:Steve Allen/Manchester Evening News/PA Wire)
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A memorial service for Coronation Street star Anne Kirkbride is held at Manchester Cathedral. (credit:Steve Allen/Manchester Evening News/PA Wire)
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A memorial service for Coronation Street star Anne Kirkbride is held at Manchester Cathedral. (credit:Steve Allen/Manchester Evening N/PA Wire)
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A memorial service for Coronation Street star Anne Kirkbride is held at Manchester Cathedral. (credit:Steve Allen/Manchester Evening News/PA Wire)
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A memorial service for Coronation Street star Anne Kirkbride is held at Manchester Cathedral. (credit:Steve Allen/Manchester Evening News/PA Wire)
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Brooke Vincent and Les Dennis attend a memorial service for Coronation Street star Anne Kirkbride at Manchester Cathedral. (credit:Steve Allen/Manchester Evening News/PA Wire)
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Brooke Vincent attends a memorial service for Coronation Street star Anne Kirkbride at Manchester Cathedral. (credit:Steve Allen/Manchester Evening News/PA Wire)
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A memorial service for Coronation Street star Anne Kirkbride is held at Manchester Cathedral. (credit:Steve Allen/Manchester Evening N/PA Wire)
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Brooke Vincent and Les Dennis attend a memorial service for Coronation Street star Anne Kirkbride at Manchester Cathedral. (credit:Steve Allen/Manchester Evening News/PA Wire)
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A memorial service for Coronation Street star Anne Kirkbride is held at Manchester Cathedral. (credit:Steve Allen/Manchester Evening News/PA Wire)
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A memorial service for Coronation Street star Anne Kirkbride is held at Manchester Cathedral. (credit:Steve Allen/Manchester Evening News/PA Wire)
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Beverley Callard and William Roache attend a memorial service for Coronation Street star Anne Kirkbride at Manchester Cathedral. (credit:Steve Allen/Manchester Evening News/PA Wire)
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A memorial service for Coronation Street star Anne Kirkbride is held at Manchester Cathedral. (credit:Steve Allen/Manchester Evening News/PA Wire)
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Brooke Vincent and Les Dennis attend a memorial service for Coronation Street star Anne Kirkbride at Manchester Cathedral. (credit:Steve Allen/Manchester Evening News/PA Wire)
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A memorial service for Coronation Street star Anne Kirkbride is held at Manchester Cathedral. (credit:Steve Allen/Manchester Evening News/PA Wire)
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Anne Kirkbride's husband Dave Beckett (front right), William Roache (back right) and Beverley Callard (back centre) at a memorial service for the Coronation Street star at Manchester Cathedral. (credit:Steve Allen/Manchester Evening News/PA Wire)
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Hayley Tamaddon attends a memorial service for Coronation Street star Anne Kirkbride at Manchester Cathedral. (credit:Steve Allen/Manchester Evening News/PA Wire)
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Beverley Callard (left) and Elle Mulvaney at a memorial service for Coronation Street star Anne Kirkbride at Manchester Cathedral. (credit:Steve Allen/Manchester Evening News/PA Wire)
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Brooke Vincent and Les Dennis (far left) attend a memorial service for Coronation Street star Anne Kirkbride at Manchester Cathedral. (credit:Steve Allen/Manchester Evening N/PA Wire)
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Sue Nicholls (middle row left), Helen Worth (middle row centre), Sue Johnston (back left) and Malcolm Hebden (back centre) attend a memorial service for Coronation Street star Anne Kirkbride at Manchester Cathedral. (credit:Steve Allen/Manchester Evening N/PA Wire)
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Anne Kirkbride's husband Dave Beckett (front right), William Roache (back right) and Beverley Callard (back centre) at a memorial service for the Coronation Street star at Manchester Cathedral. (credit:Steve Allen/Manchester Evening N/PA Wire)
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Michael Le Vell (centre) attends a memorial service for Coronation Street star Anne Kirkbride at Manchester Cathedral. (credit:Steve Allen/Manchester Evening N/PA Wire)
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Anne Kirkbride's husband Dave Beckett (centre), William Roache and Beverley Callard at a memorial service for the Coronation Street star at Manchester Cathedral. (credit:Steve Allen/Manchester Evening N/PA Wire)
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Anne Kirkbride's husband Dave Beckett at a memorial service for the Coronation Street star at Manchester Cathedral. (credit:Steve Allen/Manchester Evening N/PA Wire)
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Elle Mulvaney (front) and Sally Dynevor at a memorial service for Coronation Street star Anne Kirkbride at Manchester Cathedral. (credit:Steve Allen/Manchester Evening N/PA Wire)
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Elle Mulvaney (front) and Sally Dynevor at a memorial service for Coronation Street star Anne Kirkbride at Manchester Cathedral. (credit:Steve Allen/Manchester Evening N/PA Wire)
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Beverley Callard gives a reading at a memorial service for Coronation Street star Anne Kirkbride at Manchester Cathedral. (credit:Steve Allen/Manchester Evening N/PA Wire)
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Elle Mulvaney at a memorial service for Coronation Street star Anne Kirkbride at Manchester Cathedral. (credit:Steve Allen/Manchester Evening N/PA Wire)
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Hayley Tamaddon attends a memorial service for Coronation Street star Anne Kirkbride at Manchester Cathedral. (credit:Steve Allen/Manchester Evening N/PA Wire)
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Beverley Callard (left) and William Roache attend a memorial service for Coronation Street star Anne Kirkbride at Manchester Cathedral. (credit:Steve Allen/Manchester Evening N/PA Wire)
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William Roache attends a memorial service for Coronation Street star Anne Kirkbride at Manchester Cathedral. (credit:Steve Allen/Manchester Evening N/PA Wire)
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Hayley Tamaddon (left) and Kym Marsh following the memorial service for Coronation Street star Anne Kirkbride at Manchester Cathedral. (credit:Peter Byrne/PA Wire)
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Jimmi Harkishin, Hayley Tamaddon, and Kym Marsh (right) arriving for the memorial service for Coronation Street star Anne Kirkbride at Manchester Cathedral. (credit:Peter Byrne/PA Wire)
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William Roache gives a reading at a memorial service for Coronation Street star Anne Kirkbride at Manchester Cathedral. (credit:Steve Allen/Manchester Evening N/PA Wire)
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William Roache and Sue Nicholls following the memorial service for Coronation Street star Anne Kirkbride at Manchester Cathedral. (credit:Peter Byrne/PA Wire)
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William Roache and Sue Nicholls following the memorial service for Coronation Street star Anne Kirkbride at Manchester Cathedral. (credit:Peter Byrne/PA Wire)
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William Roache and Sue Nicholls following the memorial service for Coronation Street star Anne Kirkbride at Manchester Cathedral. (credit:Peter Byrne/PA Wire)
Picture Shows: William RoacheMay 30, 2015: May 30, 2015'Coronation Street' stars are seen outside the Manchester Cathedral after attending a memorial for Anne Kirkbride. Anne Kirkbride played Coronation Street's Deirdre Barlow for 42 years. She (40 of44)
(credit:Seb / FameFlynet.uk.com)
Picture Shows: Beverly CallardMay 30, 2015: May 30, 2015'Coronation Street' stars are seen outside the Manchester Cathedral after attending a memorial for Anne Kirkbride. Anne Kirkbride played Coronation Street's Deirdre Barlow for 42 years. She(41 of44)
(credit:Seb / FameFlynet.uk.com)
May 30, 2015: May 30, 2015Michelle Collins, Sue Johnston,Brooke Vincent, Michael Le Vell, Sam Ashton, Chris Bisson, Sue Nichols, Bill Roache,Beverly Callard, Sally Dynevor, Jenny Mcalpine. Arrive For The Anne Kirkbride Memorial Service At Manchester (42 of44)
(credit:Seb / FameFlynet.uk.com)
May 30, 2015: May 30, 2015Michelle Collins, Sue Johnston,Brooke Vincent, Michael Le Vell, Sam Ashton, Chris Bisson, Sue Nichols, Bill Roache,Beverly Callard, Sally Dynevor, Jenny Mcalpine. Arrive For The Anne Kirkbride Memorial Service At Manchester (43 of44)
(credit:Seb / FameFlynet.uk.com)
May 30, 2015: May 30, 2015Michelle Collins, Sue Johnston,Brooke Vincent, Michael Le Vell, Sam Ashton, Chris Bisson, Sue Nichols, Bill Roache,Beverly Callard, Sally Dynevor, Jenny Mcalpine. Arrive For The Anne Kirkbride Memorial Service At Manchester (44 of44)
(credit:Seb / FameFlynet.uk.com)
Elle Mulvaney, who played her on-screen granddaughter Amy Barlow, said: “Today as I stand here, I’m not just remembering my on-screen grandma. I’m also remembering my friend.
“Annie was caring, lovable and funny. Annie was always making everyone laugh on set, the hours soon passed by very quickly.
“Annie is now one of God’s many angels and will be missed. But I know for me she isn’t truly gone and she will always be in my heart.”
Anne Kirkbride played Deirdre on 'Corrie' for 42 years
The show's executive producer Kieran Roberts said Anne had ‘the gift of making everyone feel special around her’ with her ‘warm, kind-hearted, generous, spirited, talented and fun-loving’.
"Annie we thank you for bringing so much light, laughter and love into all our lives for all those years," he added.
Two video clips of the actress joking around in her living room by singing and playing the harmonica were played during the service.
The music included a recording of Il Dolce Suono performed by Maria Callas, a live rendition of Caruso from classical tenor Tom Spence and a performance of Mozart's Sonata in G by Chetham's School of Music pupils.
Anne Kirkbride Through The Years
Anne Kirkbride(01 of15)
File photo dated 13/06/83 of Coronation Street actress Anne Kirkbride, who played Deirdre Barlow, has died after a short illness, her husband David Beckett said tonight. (credit:PA/PA Wire)
Television - ITV Series - Coronation Street - Manchester(02 of15)
Coronation Street stars during a Christmas Party sequence at the Rovers Return. Left to right, Julie Goodyear as Bet Lynch; Doris Speed as Annie Walker; Jack Howarth as Albert Tatlock; Betty Driver as Betty Turpin (behind); Barbara Knox as Rita Littlewood; Anne Kirkbride as Deidre Hunt (behind), as Jean Alexander as Hilda Ogden; unidentified; Stephen Hancock as Ernest Bishop; as Geoffrey Hughes as Eddie Yeats (at the back); Violet Carson as Ena Sharples; Eileen Derbyshire as Emily Bishop; Margo Bryant as Minnie Caldwell; unidentified; Thelma Barlow as Mavis Riley; Bernard Youens as Stan Ogden; Neville Buswell as Ray Langdon; unidentified. (credit:PA/PA Archive)
Television - Queen visit to Coronation Street - Granada Studios(03 of15)
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip visit the newly built location of Granada Television's "Coronation Street" in Manchester. Some of the cast from left to right: Jack Howarth, William Roache, Anne Kirkbride, Eileen Derbyshire and Thelma Barlow (credit:PA/PA Archive)
Television - Granada TV - Coronation Street 25th Anniversary - Dorchester Hotel(04 of15)
Members of the cast of ITV's soap opera Coronation Street, crowded around a cake replica of the street at the celebration to mark its 25th anniversary at the Dorchester Hotel. Front row, left to right, Julie Goodyear, Eileen Derbyshire, series creater Tony Warren, William Roache, Jean Alexander and Betty Driver. Back row, left to right, Nigel Pivaro, Johnny Briggs, Michael Le Vell, Bill Tarmey, Thelma Barlow, Anne Kirkbride, Bryan Mosley, Lynn Perry, Kevin Kennedy, Bill Waddington, Helen Worth and Liz Dawn. (credit:PA/PA Archive)
kirkbride anne 02-(05 of15)
Anne Kirkbride, attends the Coronation Street, Christmas Party, held at the Lowry hotel in Manchester. (credit:Eamon Clarke /EMPICS Entertainment)
Anne Kirkbride death(06 of15)
File photo dated 23/05/83 of Coronation Street actors William Roache (left), who played Ken Barlow and Johnny Briggs who played Mike Baldwin with Anne Kirkbride, who played Deirdre Barlow, as she has died after a short illness, her husband David Beckett said. (credit:PA/PA Wire)
Actors Anne Kirkbride And Bill Roache Come Face To Face With Ken And Deidre(07 of15)
BLACKPOOL, ENGLAND - JULY 25: Coronation Street actress Anne Kilbride comes face to face with a wax work model of her street character Deirdre Barlow on July 25, 2011 in Blackpool, England. Two wax work figures of Coronation Street's Deirdre and Ken Barlow are the latest celebrity fascimiles to be unveiled at Madame Tussauds Blackpool (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Christopher Furlong via Getty Images)
Actors Anne Kirkbride And Bill Roache Come Face To Face With Ken And Deidre(08 of15)
BLACKPOOL, ENGLAND - JULY 25: Coronation Street actress Anne Kilbride comes face to face with a wax work model of her street character husband Ken Barlow on July 25, 2011 in Blackpool, England. Two wax work figures of Coronation Street's Deirdre and Ken Barlow are the latest celebrity fascimiles to be unveiled at Madame Tussauds Blackpool (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Christopher Furlong via Getty Images)
Actors Anne Kirkbride And Bill Roache Come Face To Face With Ken And Deidre(09 of15)
BLACKPOOL, ENGLAND - JULY 25: Coronation Street actress Anne Kilbride comes face to face with a wax work model of her street character Deirdre Barlow on July 25, 2011 in Blackpool, England. Two wax work figures of Coronation Street's Deirdre and Ken Barlow are the latest celebrity fascimiles to be unveiled at Madame Tussauds Blackpool (Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) (credit:Christopher Furlong via Getty Images)
The Duchess Of Cornwall - Coronation Street Visit(10 of15)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 04: Camilla, The Duchess of Cornwall (2L) meets actors Anne Kirkbride, who plays the role of Deirdre Barlow (C) and Ryan Thomas, who plays the role of Jason Grimshaw (R) during a tour to the Rovers Return Pub on the set of British television soap opera 'Coronation Street' on February 4, 2010 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Andrew Yates-WPA Pool/Getty Images) (credit:WPA Pool via Getty Images)
Camilla, The Duchess of Cornwall (2nd L)(11 of15)
Camilla, The Duchess of Cornwall (2nd L) meets actors Beverly Callard, who plays landlady Liz McDonald (L), Anne Kirkbride, who plays the role of Deirdre Barlow (2nd R) and Ryan Thomas, who plays the role of Jason Grimshaw (R) during a visit to the Rovers Return Pub on the set of British television soap opera 'Coronation Street', in Manchester, north-west England, on February 4, 2010. AFP PHOTO/ANDREW YATES/WPA POOL (Photo credit should read ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ANDREW YATES via Getty Images)
Central Station Paint Coronation Street-Part 1 - Manchester(12 of15)
The Richard Goodall Gallery in Manchester's northern quarter had it's opening night party for the exhibition "Central Station Paint Coronation Street-Part 1". Coronation Street's Anne Kirkbride. (credit:Eamonn and James Clarke/Eamonn and James Clarke)
Coronation Street Filming - Manchester(13 of15)
Anne Kirkbride seen on the set of Coronation Street, Cheshire (credit:Eamonn and James Clarke/Eamonn and James Clarke)
Anne Kirkbride(14 of15)
File photo dated 29/01/14 of Coronation Street actress Anne Kirkbride, who played Deirdre Barlow, has died after a short illness, her husband David Beckett said tonight. (credit:Peter Byrne/PA Wire)
Coronation Street filming - Manchester(15 of15)
Anne Kirkbride who plays Deirdre Barlow in Coronation Street is seen filming the funeral scene of Blanche Hunt who was played by Maggie Jones who recently passed away in real life, Manchester (credit:Eamonn and James Clarke/Eamonn and James Clarke)