Coronation Street viewers will learn tomorrow of the tragic death of one of the show’s longest-running characters, Deirdre Barlow – played by the late actress Anne Kirkbride.

In a heartbreaking scene, previewed on ITV show This Morning, Deirdre’s husband Ken, daughter Tracy and neighbour Audrey are told of the devastating news by her closest friend Bev.

Her death is announced later to the rest of Weatherfield’s residents at a party planned for her homecoming at the Rovers Return.

Coronation Street
Ken and Tracy learn the sad news about Deirdre (ITV)

Anne, who played Deirdre for 42 years, died in January aged 60.

At the time of her death, she had been away from the screen for four months after taking a break following her diagnosis with cancer.

A funeral service for her character will be shown during Monday night’s episode.

Coronation Street
Anne Kirkbride as Deirdre Barlow (ITV)

Anne was one of the soap’s best-know performers and was loved by millions for her portrayal of husky-voiced Deirdre, famed for many years for her oversized spectacles.

She appeared in many colourful storylines over the years, including one of her most memorable soap moments when Deirdre was jailed after being duped into a mortgage fraud by fiance Jon Lindsay.

Coronation Street
Deirdre starred in the Free The Weatherfield One storyline (ITV)

The storyline even led then prime minister Tony Blair to give his support to the Free The Weatherfield One movement to get her released.

The actress previously took a break from the soap after being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 1993.

Coronation Street will be screened on ITV tomorrow at 7.30pm.