Smiles and laughter as Coronation Street stars remember 'loveable and funny' Anne Kirkbride
Coronation Street stars past and present have paid tribute to "caring, loveable and funny" Anne Kirkbride, who played Deirdre Barlow in the soap for more than 40 years.
There were smiles and laughter among the tears as friends, co-stars and loved ones came together at the Manchester Cathedral in a celebration of the life of the popular Oldham-born actress.
The memorial service, attended by up to 600 people including members of the public, heard that all Kirkbride "ever wanted to do was make people happy".
Her close friend, Beverley Callard, who plays Liz McDonald, and her on-screen granddaughter Elle Mulvaney (Amy Barlow) gave affectionate tributes, as did her brother, John, the ITV1 show's executive producer Kieran Roberts and crew members.
Long-term on-screen husband William Roache (Ken Barlow) gave a reading of the David Harkins poem She Is Gone.
Kirkbride, 60, was one of the show's best-known performers and was loved by millions for her portrayal of husky-voiced Deirdre, famed for many years for her oversized spectacles.
She died in January after a battle with cancer.