"impromptu ceremony, shortly before going into cardiac arrest, although he later rallied and made a slow recovery. The episode of ""EastEnders"" broadcast on the same day as ""Coronation Street"" 50th anniversary episode included a tribute, with the character Dot Branning saying that she never missed ""Coronation Street"". In May 2011, Dennis Tanner returned after 43 years off screen. Beverley Callard and Vicky Entwistle who play Liz McDonald and Janice Battersby, respectively, quit the street. On 15 October 2011, Betty Driver, who had played Betty Williams since 1969, died of pneumonia, aged 91. In 2011, the major storyline of John Stape"
"Blanche moments. She’ll be sorely missed."" Blanche Hunt Blanche Hunt (also Linfield) was a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera, ""Coronation Street"". She was originally played by Patricia Cutts; however, the actress committed suicide after appearing in just two episodes in August 1974. Maggie Jones took over the role, playing Blanche in over 830 episodes from 1974 to her death in December 2009. The character subsequently died off screen in May 2010. Blanche was the mother of Deirdre Barlow (Anne Kirkbride), grandmother of Tracy Barlow (Kate Ford) and great-grandmother of Amy. Her storylines have revolved around her family"
"at the 2011 Inside Soap Awards. Tracy Barlow Tracy McDonald (also Barlow, Preston, Cropper and Langton) is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera, ""Coronation Street"". She was born on screen during the episode broadcast on 24 January 1977. She was played by Christabel Finch until 21 November 1983. Holly Chamarette played the role from 8 July 1985 until 23 March 1988. Dawn Acton played the role from 12 December 1988, until 14 June 1995, Acton reprised the role in November 1996, and departed in December 1997. She reprised the role once again on 17 March 1999 and"
"Lynne Carol Josephine Caroline Gertrude Mary Faith Harber (29 June 1914 – 30 June 1990), better known as Lynne Carol, was a Welsh born (but usually described as English) actress best known for playing busybody Martha Longhurst in the soap opera ""Coronation Street"" from the second episode in 1960 until the character was killed off in 1964. A descendant of six generations of actors, Lynne Carol (also known as Josephine Palmer) was born in Monmouthshire, south east Wales, where her actor parents Charles Harber and Mina Harber (née McKinnon) were touring in a stage play. Carol started her own acting"
"Blanche Hunt Blanche Hunt (also Linfield) was a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera, ""Coronation Street"". She was originally played by Patricia Cutts; however, the actress committed suicide after appearing in just two episodes in August 1974. Maggie Jones took over the role, playing Blanche in over 830 episodes from 1974 to her death in December 2009. The character subsequently died off screen in May 2010. Blanche was the mother of Deirdre Barlow (Anne Kirkbride), grandmother of Tracy Barlow (Kate Ford) and great-grandmother of Amy. Her storylines have revolved around her family life, various romances and her ""acerbic"
"of youthful rebellion. Though the rest of the original Barlow family were killed off before the end of the 1970s, Ken, who for 27 years was the only character from the first episode remaining, has remained the constant link throughout the entire series. In 2011, Dennis Tanner (Philip Lowrie), another character from the first episode, returned to ""Coronation Street"" after a 43-year absence. Since 1984, Ken Barlow has been the show's only remaining original character. Emily Bishop (Eileen Derbyshire) had appeared in the series since late-January 1961, when the show was just weeks old, and was the show's longest-serving female"
"Kilkenny Doreen Keogh Doreen Sheila Elsie Keogh (10 April 1924 – 31 December 2017) was an Irish-born actress of radio, stage, and television and film, who was best known for her career in England. Born in Dublin, Ireland, to John Keogh and Alice Mullany, Keogh left school at the age of 15 to train with the Abbey Theatre School, before moving to London during World War II due to her father's job. Keogh's television roles include Concepta Riley, an original cast member and the first barmaid of the pub Rover's Return Inn in the British soap opera ""Coronation Street"", from"
"Anne Kirkbride Anne Kirkbride (21 June 1954 – 19 January 2015) was an English actress, known for her long-running role as Deirdre Barlow in the ITV soap ""Coronation Street"", which she played for over 41 years from 1972 to 2014. For this role, she posthumously received the Outstanding Achievement Award at the 2015 British Soap Awards. She was born in Oldham, Lancashire, the daughter of Jack Kirkbride, a cartoonist for the ""Oldham Evening Chronicle"". She attended Counthill Grammar School, Oldham, and then joined Oldham Repertory Theatre as an assistant stage manager, before progressing to acting roles. Kirkbride was noticed by"
"the Evangelist Church in Sewerby. Her son David died in 2018. Helene Palmer Helene Palmer (5 March 1928 – 5 January 2011) was a British actress best known for her portrayal of Ida Clough, a factory machinist in the long-running soap opera, ""Coronation Street"". She appeared in the show on/off between 1978 and 1998. She began her career as an entertainer in British nightclubs during the 1960s and 1970s. She collaborated and became friends with many well-known English actors and comedians in the clubs, including Lynne Perrie, Pat Phoenix, Liz Dawn, Freddie Starr and Les Dawson. Palmer joined the cast"
"as Gail Platt. Thelma Barlow Thelma Barlow (née Pigott; born 19 June 1929) is an English television actress and writer, most famous for her roles as Mavis Wilton in the long-running ITV soap opera ""Coronation Street"" and as Dolly Bellfield in the sitcom ""Dinnerladies"". Thelma Barlow was born in 1929 in Middlesbrough, North Riding of Yorkshire, the younger of two daughters. Her father, Tommy, a cabinet maker, died of pneumonia five weeks before her birth, and Barlow was brought up by her mother Margaret. Barlow has an elder sister, Veda. During her childhood the family moved to Huddersfield, West Riding"
"who plays Ken Barlow in ""Coronation Street"". Roache's son James had a role as Ken's long-lost grandson who was also called James. Despite Driver's character being well known for her Lancashire hotpot, in real-life she was a vegetarian who seldom cooked, describing herself as a poor cook. On 11 May 2011, Driver was rushed to hospital, suffering from pneumonia. She died on 15 October, aged 91, after around six weeks in hospital. Betty Driver Elizabeth Mary ""Betty"" Driver, (20 May 1920 – 15 October 2011) was a British actress and singer, best known for her role as Betty Williams (previously"
"Tracy Barlow Tracy McDonald (also Barlow, Preston, Cropper and Langton) is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera, ""Coronation Street"". She was born on screen during the episode broadcast on 24 January 1977. She was played by Christabel Finch until 21 November 1983. Holly Chamarette played the role from 8 July 1985 until 23 March 1988. Dawn Acton played the role from 12 December 1988, until 14 June 1995, Acton reprised the role in November 1996, and departed in December 1997. She reprised the role once again on 17 March 1999 and made her final appearance as Tracy"
"Doreen Keogh Doreen Sheila Elsie Keogh (10 April 1924 – 31 December 2017) was an Irish-born actress of radio, stage, and television and film, who was best known for her career in England. Born in Dublin, Ireland, to John Keogh and Alice Mullany, Keogh left school at the age of 15 to train with the Abbey Theatre School, before moving to London during World War II due to her father's job. Keogh's television roles include Concepta Riley, an original cast member and the first barmaid of the pub Rover's Return Inn in the British soap opera ""Coronation Street"", from 1960"
"head. Tina made her final appearance on 2 June 2014, where she died in hospital. Carla was considered a prime murder suspect, as Tina had been her husband's mistress; while Peter was also a possible suspect because Tina had threatened to reveal their affair to Carla. A few weeks after Tina's death, it was announced that Marc Baylis, who plays Rob, would be leaving the soap. Rob left ""Coronation Street"" on 5 November 2014, after being caught and arrested for Tina's murder. In March 2017, a surprise ""whodunnit"" storyline took place when the soap's longest-serving character, Ken Barlow, played by"
"a long time to come – she’ll just be on the other side of the bar for a change"". In a storyline that aired in February 2010, Betty – at 90 years old – was named Manchester's Oldest Barmaid. In a plot twist, a 91-year-old rival came forward, resulting in Betty fearing she killed her, when the rival consumes a two-month-old hotpot. ITV describe Betty as a ""lynchpin"" of the soap opera, stating that: ""She’s as much a part of ""Coronation Street"" as the cobble stones."" Former executive producer, Brian Park, suggested in 1997 that characters such as Betty ""are"
"Annie Walker (Coronation Street) Annie Walker (also Beaumont) was a long-standing fictional character in the ITV soap opera ""Coronation Street"". She was played by actress Doris Speed from the series' first episode in 1960 until Speed retired from the role 23 years and 1,737 episodes later in 1983. The character of Annie has been noted as ""snobbish"" and ""snooty"" due to her condescending attitude and delusions of grandeur. Despite this, Annie proved to be one of the show's most popular characters and Speed received more fan mail than any other cast member at the time. For her service, Speed was"
"the soap world's cruelest exits. Susan Barlow Susan Ida Barlow (also Baldwin) is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera, ""Coronation Street"". She made her debut screen appearance on 5 April 1965. Susan has been portrayed by four actresses since her introduction. Katie Heannau was the first actress to play the character, appearing sporadically in the 1960s uncredited. Wendy Jane Walker took over the role for 26 episodes between 1970 and 1974. When the character returned, Suzy Patterson was recast in the role. She appeared in eight episodes from December 1979 until July 1981. Walker reprised the role"
"over the running of the Rovers after her death. Annie Walker (Coronation Street) Annie Walker (also Beaumont) was a long-standing fictional character in the ITV soap opera ""Coronation Street"". She was played by actress Doris Speed from the series' first episode in 1960 until Speed retired from the role 23 years and 1,737 episodes later in 1983. The character of Annie has been noted as ""snobbish"" and ""snooty"" due to her condescending attitude and delusions of grandeur. Despite this, Annie proved to be one of the show's most popular characters and Speed received more fan mail than any other cast"
"Thelma Barlow Thelma Barlow (née Pigott; born 19 June 1929) is an English television actress and writer, most famous for her roles as Mavis Wilton in the long-running ITV soap opera ""Coronation Street"" and as Dolly Bellfield in the sitcom ""Dinnerladies"". Thelma Barlow was born in 1929 in Middlesbrough, North Riding of Yorkshire, the younger of two daughters. Her father, Tommy, a cabinet maker, died of pneumonia five weeks before her birth, and Barlow was brought up by her mother Margaret. Barlow has an elder sister, Veda. During her childhood the family moved to Huddersfield, West Riding of Yorkshire. Barlow"
"Anne Reid Anne Reid, MBE (born 28 May 1935) is an English stage, film and television actress, known for her roles as Valerie Barlow in the soap opera ""Coronation Street"" (1961–71); Jean in the sitcom ""Dinnerladies"" (1998–2000); and her BAFTA-nominated role as Celia Dawson in ""Last Tango in Halifax"" (2012–2016). She won the London Film Critics Circle Award for British Actress of the Year for the film ""The Mother"" (2003). Reid was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, the daughter of Colin Norman Reid (1896–1979) and Annie Eliza Weetman/Reid (1896-c.1980). She lived with her parents and three older brothers in Redcar,"
"houseboat when she fell ill. Around Christmas 2012, Haque was diagnosed with cancer. She developed a lung clot and pneumonia and in the early hours of 17 January 2013, she died in her sleep in a London hospital, while undergoing tests. Sophiya Haque Sophiya Haque (14 June 1971 – 17 January 2013) was an English actress, singer, video jockey and dancer. She is best known for playing the role of Poppy Morales in ""Coronation Street"" between 2008 and 2009. Haque was born Syeda Sophia Haque in Portsmouth, Hampshire to a Bangladeshi father and a British Jewish mother. She was the"
"as a tour operator. Wendy Jane Walker Wendy Jane Walker (born, 1964, Manchester, Lancashire) is an actress who became well known during the 1980s for playing Susan Barlow in the ITV Soap Opera, ""Coronation Street"". She originally played the part as a child from 1970 to 1974, and after another actress portrayed the character in intervening years, she returned in 1985 as a regular character. Walker stayed in the role until late 1987. Other acting roles included ""The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes"", ""Brass"" and six episodes of ""How We Used to Live"" in 1984. By 1990, Walker had retired from"
"later, she died in her sleep, aged 62. At her request, her funeral service at the Holy Name Church in Manchester featured a large brass band; according to ""Coronation Street"" histories written by show historian Daran Little, she wanted the event that marked her death to be as lively as her life. Tony Blair and his wife Cherie were among the mourners. Since her death, Phoenix has been portrayed by Kym Marsh, Denise Black, Debbie Rush and Sue Johnston (who have all also appeared in ""Coronation Street"" as, respectively, Michelle Connor, Denise Osborne, Anna Windass and Gloria Price), Lynda Rooke"
"personally suffered the most, losing 40% of her earnings. In 2016, Callard spoke about her nervous breakdown in 2009 and her depression. Callard now lives with her fourth husband, Jon McEwan, in Eccles, Salford, with McEwan's son Ben. They married on 30 October 2010, at the Hazelwood Castle Hotel, near Leeds. Beverley Callard Beverley Jane McEwan (""née"" Moxon; previously Atkinson, Sowden and Callard; born 28 March 1957) is an English actress, known for her role as Liz McDonald in ITV's ""Coronation Street"" and Flo Henshaw in ""Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps"". Beverley Jane Moxon was born"
"later in Southport Hospital. Jean Alexander Jean Mavis Hodgkinson (11 October 1926 – 14 October 2016), known by the stage name Jean Alexander, was a British television actress. She was best known to television viewers for her long running role of Hilda Ogden in the soap opera ""Coronation Street"", a role she played from 1964 until 1987, and also as Auntie Wainwright in the long-running sitcom ""Last of the Summer Wine"" from 1988 to 2010. For her role in ""Coronation Street"", she won the 1985 Royal Television Society Award for Best Performance, and received a 1988 BAFTA TV Award nomination"
"Alma Halliwell Alma Halliwell (also Sedgewick and Baldwin) is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera, ""Coronation Street"", played by Amanda Barrie. Alma was featured as a recurring character from 1981 to 1982; however, she was reintroduced as a regular in 1988. She remained in the show for a further 13 years, featuring in high-profile storylines such as a problematic marriage to the long-running character Mike Baldwin (Johnny Briggs), kidnapping, and a supermarket siege. Barrie decided to leave the soap in 2001, and Alma was killed off in a controversial cervical cancer storyline. Alma Halliwell is first introduced"
"Deirdre Barlow Deirdre Barlow (also Hunt, Langton and Rachid) was a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera, ""Coronation Street"", played by Anne Kirkbride. She made her first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 20 November 1972, her final appearance was on 8 October 2014. Kirkbride decided to take an extended break from the soap in autumn 2014 and last appeared on-screen on 8 October 2014. There was some discrepancy as to when she would be returning to the serial, with several media outlets even suggesting that Kirkbride had quit ""Coronation Street"" after becoming ""drained"" by her new"
"her character Deirdre's boyfriend. In 1993, Kirkbride was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. She spoke to the British press about her bout of depression following the diagnosis. She was cured within a year of being diagnosed. Anne Kirkbride died of breast cancer in a Manchester hospital on 19 January 2015, aged 60. Her funeral was held on 27 January 2015 in a private ceremony. William Roache, Beverley Callard and former co-star Johnny Briggs were in attendance. At the 20th National Television Awards, held two days after Kirkbride's death, her on-screen partner and close friend from ""Coronation Street"", William Roache, paid tribute"
"she never returned to the role, dying on 2 December 2009. Co-star William Roache stated: ""I don't think Maggie ever realised how much she was loved not only by everyone on the show but by the millions of Blanche fans out there. She will be greatly missed."" ""Coronation Street"" executive producer Kieran Roberts added: ""Maggie was a much-loved colleague and a wonderful actress who turned Blanche into a true ""Coronation Street"" icon. She will be hugely missed by ""Coronation Street"" many millions of viewers and by everyone who works on ""Coronation Street""."" Blanche's final scene was broadcast on 11 December"
"to Kirkbride during the ceremony. The actor Adam Woodyatt dedicated the award ""EastEnders"" won to Kirkbride, referring to her as ""the Weatherfield One"", referencing the ""Coronation Street"" storyline which saw Deirdre wrongly imprisoned for fraud. A public memorial service for Kirkbride was held at Manchester Cathedral on 30 May 2015. Anne Kirkbride Anne Kirkbride (21 June 1954 – 19 January 2015) was an English actress, known for her long-running role as Deirdre Barlow in the ITV soap ""Coronation Street"", which she played for over 41 years from 1972 to 2014. For this role, she posthumously received the Outstanding Achievement Award"
"Susan Barlow Susan Ida Barlow (also Baldwin) is a fictional character from the British ITV soap opera, ""Coronation Street"". She made her debut screen appearance on 5 April 1965. Susan has been portrayed by four actresses since her introduction. Katie Heannau was the first actress to play the character, appearing sporadically in the 1960s uncredited. Wendy Jane Walker took over the role for 26 episodes between 1970 and 1974. When the character returned, Suzy Patterson was recast in the role. She appeared in eight episodes from December 1979 until July 1981. Walker reprised the role on a permanent basis from"
"in a row. Bill Tarmey, who played Jack Duckworth in ""Coronation Street"", was remembered during the ceremony, after passing away in November 2012. Betty Driver, who played Betty Williams in ""Coronation Street"", was remembered during the ceremony, after passing away in October 2011. Maggie Jones, who played Blanche Hunt in ""Coronation Street"", was remembered during the ceremony, after passing away in December 2009. Clive Hornby, who played Jack Sugden in ""Emmerdale"", was remembered during the ceremony, after passing away in July 2008. Wendy Richard, who played Pauline Fowler in ""EastEnders"", was also remembered during the ceremony, after passing away in"
"in 1936 and her last in 1972. In 1950, she appeared on stage with Frank Sinatra at the London Palladium. She played Elsie Lappin in the first two episodes of British soap opera ""Coronation Street"" in 1960 and was the first performer to speak during the first scene in the show's history: ""Now the next thing you've got to do is to get a signwriter in - that thing above the door'll have to be changed."" She died in London in 1991. Maudie Edwards Elizabeth Maud Edwards (16 October 1906 – 24 March 1991) professionally known as Maudie Edwards was"