LOCAL actors who worked alongside soap legend Anne Kirkbride have expressed their grief at her death.

The Coronation Street star, who played Deidre Barlow for 42 years, passed away on Monday after a short illness.

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William Roache, who used to live in Haslingden and played her on-screen husband Ken Barlow, said: “I feel Anne’s loss so personally having worked closely with her for over 40 years. She was such a loving and vibrant person. You always knew she was there because her laugh was never far away.

“She was an impeccable performer with superb comedy timing and an immense gift for really heightened drama. We had some rows... as Ken and Deirdre and it was wonderful to play those scenes. Coronation Street has lost one of its iconic characters and Anne will be greatly missed.”

Antony Cotton, who is from Edenfield and plays barman Sean Tully, tweeted: “So unbelievably sad. We’re all in complete shock. She was our friend as well as our colleague and we’ll miss her so much.”