Farewell Deidre Barlow



By Stanley Collymore

In a world of rampant disingenuousness; of studied

narcissism overtly and preponderantly parading

itself and deceitfully masquerading in the

process as honesty and truth, and

where dissembling has become an art form

of its own, you Anne Kirkbride were the

complete opposite of all these things,

exemplifying instead a refreshing

and blooming oasis of heartfelt

humanity and genuine talent

that was professionally yet

endearingly dispensed in

what’s still mainly and

otherwise a barren,

run of the mill and

talentless desert

of established

mediocrity.

And for this, all the cherished memories which you’ve

left me and millions more and the affinity, coupled

with that characteristic Lancastrian charm

that you dispensed so well both on and

off our TV screens but most notably

and immortally for me in

Corrie Street, I shall eternally be most grateful to you.

So farewell Anne Kirkbride – Deidre Barlow –

and with the curtains having finally, but

alas and regrettably for me and many

millions more of your adoring and

grieving fans, prematurely and

permanently fallen on your

earthly performances, I’m

absolutely sure, even as

your earthly credits

are being rolled out, justly lauded and rightly

applauded, that the stage is already set

celestially for an even bigger, more

rewarding and eternal role,

specially scripted for

you, and waiting

to be played!

© Stanley V. Collymore

20 January 2015.

Author’s Remarks:

There are times when situations unexpectedly impact so seriously and emotionally on one’s self that regardless of how competent one actually is verbally words just simply aren’t enough to convey the shock and profound sadness that that specific occurrence has engendered.

The untimely death of Anne Kirkbride – affectionately, endearingly and enduringly known to millions of us as Deidre Barlow, the character which with her consummate and natural skills she so convincingly and professionally played in the long running and iconic British television series, Coronation Street, also lovingly referred to as Corrie or Corrie Street – is one such occurrence.

So in grateful appreciation for all the cherished memories you've personally given me Deidre Barlow, I’ll simply say: “Farewell Anne Kirkbride – Deidre Barlow – and thank you; and although you’ll be sorely missed, you’ll never be forgotten! R.I.P.”

My condolences to your husband, other family members, your close friends and the cast and administrators at Coronation Street.