The Manchester Evening News has mocked up a tribute front page of Coronation Street’s fictional newspaper in tribute to actress Anne Kirkbride.

Anne played Deirdre Barlow in the soap for more than 40 years, and passed away after a short illness yesterday evening.

As well as splashing on the news this morning, the MEN also produced a special tribute page of the Weatherfield Gazette, the local paper which features in the long-running soap.

It also set up a live blog on its website after the news broke, featuring tributes from the world of showbusiness as well as fans of the programme.

The Weatherfield Gazette “splash” as featured online by the MEN

Its online staff manned the blog until the early hours of this morning, and resumed coverage just over six hours later.

The mock Weatherfield Gazette page was posted on the blog and the MEN’s Facebook page, where it racked up 800 ‘likes’ in the first hour after it appeared this morning.

MEN editor in chief Rob Irvine said: “The very sad news of the death of Anne Kirkbride has certainly touched Manchester Evening News readers of all ages.

“Many of their tributes appeared across a double page spread in our five pages of coverage in today’s print edition.

“The website has been very busy with people wanting to read about what has happened and to hear the thoughts of Anne’s fellow Coronation Street stars.

“In the past we have often helped out Corrie by putting together special front covers of the Weatherfield Gazette.

“Acting associate digital editor Andrew Jackson came up with the idea for today’s ‘Ta-Ra Chuck’ front page which I think sums up how we all feel about a much-admired actress and a much-loved character.”

It is not yet known whether this Weatherfield Gazette page will appear in any future print editions.

Anne had been given extended leave from the show since October.

She passed away in hospital in Manchester.

The MEN’s splash today