Anne Kirkbride

Anne Kirkbride is an English soap opera actress. born 21 June 1954 in Oldham, Lancashire.

Kirkbride was noticed by casting directors for the British soap opera Coronation Street while she did an ITV special series called Another Sunday and Sweet FA. She was offered to play the bit part of 'Deirdre Hunt' in November 1972. After a few appearances, the character's popularity grew. After more appearances in 1973, Kirkbride signed a contract with the serial in 1974. Since then, Deirdre has become synonymous with a scratchy voice (caused by real-life chain smoking) and very big eyeglasses.

In 1993, Kirkbride was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Since then, she has come clean to the British press about her bout of depression following the diagnosis. She was cured within a year of being diagnosed.

Kirkbride is the daughter of Jack Kirkbride, former cartoonist for the Oldham Evening Chronicle.

In 2007, Kirkbride starred in the first episode of ITV1's You Don't Know You're Born.

Don't like to wear a bra in real life.