Coronation Street has paid tribute to former star Cheryl Murray, who has died aged 71.
Murray is best known for her role on the cobbles as Gail Potter’s best friend Suzie Birchall, who she played between 1977 and 1979. She reprised the role again in 1983.
Speaking of Murray, who passed away on September 23, 2023, ITV said in a statement to The Sun: “We are saddened to hear of the recent passing of Cheryl Murray, our thoughts are with her family and friends.”
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The statement continued: “Her vibrant portrayal of Gail’s best friend and Elsie Tanner’s lodger Suzie Birchall lived on in the memories of Coronation Street fans long after Suzie left the cobbles for the bright lights of London.”
After starring as Gail’s best friend on the soap for over two years, Murray’s character Suzie left Weatherfield to move to London.
The Corrie actor went on to star in the BBC sitcoms Hi-de-Hi! and Sorry! and even appeared in a Morrisey music video for the hit song ‘Everyday is Like Sunday.’
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Murray was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis during her time on the cobbles and in 1998, after a brief stint on Emmerdale, the actor retired at age 46 due to the disease.
Back in 2014, Murray appeared on the ITV documentary Gail and Me: 40 years of Gail on Coronation Street.
Since news of her death broke, fans have taken to social media to share tributes to Murray with one fan writing on X: “Sorry to hear that Cheryl Murray has passed away, and such a pity we only find out over a year later. I’ve not been a big fan of Corrie for a long time, but when I was she was one of the main reasons. RIP.”
Another said: “Thinking of Cheryl Murray and her family. It takes someone truly special to make such a tremendous mark on the show as she did in only two years.”
Coronation Street airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 and streams on ITVX.
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