Bill Roache claims that late co-star Anne Kirkbride was battling ‘alcoholism’ and ‘depression’

Co-stars: Bill Roache speaks out about late co-star Anne Kirkbride
PA
Jennifer Ruby24 March 2016
The Weekender

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Bill Roache has claimed that his former co-star Anne Kirkbride had battled alcoholism and depression.

The Coronation Street actor, who played Kirkbride’s on-screen husband, has said that she had been ‘off the drink’ for 30 years but had been on anti-depressants ‘all her life’.

Speaking to The Sun at the RTS Awards, the 83-year-old soap veteran described the late star as a ‘beautiful person’.

“What happened with Anne was — she was alcoholic, she was on drugs for depression but she was a beautiful person,” he said.

Coronation Street actress Anne Kirkbride dies aged 60

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“She had been alcoholic but she was off the drink. Then she was on anti-depressant drugs all her life.”

Roache added: “Whilst Anne did describe herself as an alcoholic, as many alcoholics do, she had not touched a drop of alcohol for 30 years or more.

“She just started crying a lot and I spent half my life sort of comforting her. That got a bit worse, and we were holding up scenes because she was being weepy and waily.”

Kirkbride’s husband David Beckett has said: “Whilst Anne considered herself an 'alcoholic' she had not touched a drop of alcohol for about 30 years.”

The much-loved soap star passed away in January at the age of 60, after a short battle with cancer.

At the time of her death Roache 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.”

A spokesperson for ITV said: “We would not comment anything relating to the health of an actor in the show past or present.”

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