Coronation Street bosses have responded to reports that Anne Kirkbride, who plays Deirdre Barlow, is planning to retire.
Deirdre has been absent from the Street for the past few months while long-serving cast member Anne Kirkbride takes an extended break from the show.
A report in today's (January 18) The Sun on Sunday claims that Kirkbride is considering leaving Weatherfield for good.
However, a Coronation Street spokesperson told Digital Spy: "Anne is currently on extended leave, but we are not aware of any desire to step down permanently from her role as Deirdre Barlow."
Deirdre was last seen on screen in October, when she decided to leave the Street for a while ahead of her stepson Peter's murder trial.
Kirkbride, 60, has played the role of Deirdre since 1972.
