Late Coronation Street star Anne Kirkbride's family advising soap writers on her exit
THE family of late Coronation Street star Anne Kirkbride are advising the show's writers on how to portray her exit from the soap.
Anne Kirkbride's family are said to be heavily involved in the planning of her Corrie exit storyline
Anne's loved ones are working alongside the team to write her out of the ITV soap following her death from cancer in January, aged 60.
Speaking to The Sun, a source said: "They don't want to do anything that would upset Anne's family or disrespect the legacy of one of their most popular characters.
"They think it's best to make a joint decision about the best way to wave goodbye to Deirdre."
William Roache, who played Anne's on-screen husband for almost 40 years, is said to be heavily involved in the storyline.
Viewers will see Anne's on-screen husband Ken Barlow comes to terms with Deirdre's death
Viewers will see Ken having to come to terms with losing his wife.
The 82-year-old actor previously said Anne's death will always leave a irreplaceable void for himself and his on-screen character Ken Barlow.
"We both went our different ways but we would always come back together. One of the writers said we always see Ken and Deirdre as a pair whether we were together or not," he said.
"We were sort of soulmates and we were like that off screen. I loved her dearly and she loved me in a true and proper way."
William Roache paid a poignant tribute to his co-star at this year's National TV Awards
He added: "I respected her as an actress tremendously, the void walking on set just now was heart rendering because you feel her presence and we'll always feel her presence but I know she's gone to a very good and very happy place.
"So for her we could be happy but we'll miss her dreadfully."
Anne is survived by her husband David Beckett.