The 59-year-old actress, who plays the iconic Deirdre Barlow, is said to be missing her co-star Bill Roache, who has been suspended after being charged with child sex offences, which he has strenuously denied.
On set, Deirdre had to be consoled by her on-screen daughter Kate Ford (Tracy) after their scene was brought to a halt, when production staff allegedly rushed to her aid.
In it for the long-term: Ken (Bill Roache) and
Deirdre (Anne Kirkbride) have had a long and colourful relationship
together on the show
A source told the Daily Star newspaper that the pair are close, adding: 'She's known him for 40 years and he's always been by her side
helping her cope with the gruelling schedule all soap stars have to deal
with.However, after a brief break in filming, Anne - who plays the wife of Bill's character Ken - was able to return and carry on the scene with Kate.
Bad barnets: The pair have been together in the show and entertaining viewers for decades
The source added: 'She's a trouper though. After a cuppa and some time out she carried on with the scene.'
Bill, 81, has been written out of the soap since being charged with child sex offences.
The actor will stand trial in January 2014 over the allegations, which include a rape charge concerning a girl who was 15-years-old at the time.
Roach has also been charged with sexually assaulting another four girls, one as young as 11-years-old.
The allegations against Roache, who has played Ken for over six decades, are claimed to have happened in the Manchester area between 1965 and 1968 and involve four girls who were aged between 11 or 12 and 16 at the time.
A spokesperson for Anne Kirkbride has been contacted by the MailOnline for comment.
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