Coronation Street actress Anne Kirkbride, who played Deirdre Barlow in the soap, has died aged 60 after a short illness.
A statement on the soap's website said the cast and crew are "heartbroken".
The actress was part of the ITV soap for 44 years.
William Roache, who 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.
William Roache said Kirkbride was 'loving and vibrant'
"She was an impeccable performer with superb comedy timing and an immense gift for really heightened drama.
"We had some rows over the years as Ken and Deirdre and it was wonderful to play those scenes opposite her.
"Coronation Street has lost one of its iconic characters and Anne will be greatly missed."
Kirkbride, born in Oldham, Lancashire, was involved in some of Corrie's most memorable storylines.
The actress' on-screen wedding was more popular than a Royal wedding
When her character chose Ken Barlow over Mike Baldwin in 1983 the result was flashed up on the scoreboard at Old Trafford.
It read: "Ken and Deirdre reunited. Ken 1 - Mike 0."
In 1998, a public campaign to "Free Deirdre" made
front-page news after viewers pleaded with producers to release her
character from prison.
But it is her on-screen relationship with Ken Barlow for which she is best known.
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