Trivia

Although she was known for the exceptionally large glasses which she wore as Deirdre in Coronation Street (1960) since 1973, in real life, she actually wore contact lenses.

Her Coronation Street (1960) character, Deirdre Langton, became the fourth woman on the soap opera to give birth. Deirdre had a daughter, Tracy (played originally played by Christabel Finch, before Kate Ford took over the role), born on 24 January 1977.

Was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma in 1993 and underwent chemotherapy; she was given the all-clear in 1998.

Is one of eleven Coronation Street (1960) actresses who despite their characters giving birth on the show have never become mothers in real life. The others are Doreen Keogh, Helen Worth, Caroline Milmoe, Naomi Radcliffe, Angela Lonsdale, Vicky Binns, Georgia May Foote, Natalie Gumede, Ellie Leach and Nicola Thorp.

In her spare time, she was a keen painter. It was rumored in 2009 that she was considering quitting Coronation Street (1960) in order to pursue a career in it, but this was not the case.

Her first job upon leaving school in 1970 was as an assistant stage manager with the Oldham Repertory theatre.

She suffered from severe depression in 1998.

Is one of ten Coronation Street (1960) actors to win the Lifetime Achievement Award at the British Soap Awards. The others are William Roache, Barbara Knox, Johnny Briggs, Elizabeth Dawn, Betty Driver, William Tarmey, Helen Worth, Sue Nicholls and David Neilson.

Her Lifetime Achievement Award was presented posthumously to her husband David Beckett at The British Soap Awards 2015 (2015) by her Coronation Street (1960) co-stars William Roache and Beverley Callard. Roache's character Ken Barlow was Kirkbride's character Deirdre Barlow's husband, whilst Callard's character Liz McDonald was Deirdre's best friend on the show.

Had a younger brother, John Kirkbride (b. 1957).

In April 2015, the producers of Coronation Street (1960) announced that Kirkbride's character, Deirdre Barlow, will pass away in the series and be given an onscreen funeral. This occurred on the show in July 2015.

Shared a birthday with her Coronation Street (1960) co-star Maggie Jones, who played her mother on the show.

Daughter of cartoonist Jack Kirkbride (1923-2006), and his wife Enid (née Kirkham) (1926-1993).

Maternal granddaughter of Fred (1897-1976) and Annie Jane (née Booth) Kirkham (1899-1984).

Played her first grandmother role on-screen at age 50 on Coronation Street (1960).

Aunt of Samedi (b. 1999) and Alphin Kirkbride (b. 2001) via her brother Jack.

Her Coronation Street (1960) character Deirdre Barlow was a mother and a grandmother, whereas Kirkbride had no children in real life.

Her first appearance on Coronation Street was only supposed to be a bit part but she made such an impression that her role was extend and then made permanent.

Educated at Counthill Grammar School in Oldham.