Coronation Street actress Beverley Callard has claimed that her former co-star Anne Kirkbride "visits" the set from the afterlife.

Kirkbride played Deirdre Barlow on the soap for 42 years until her death in January 2015, aged just 60, following a short battle with breast cancer.

Callard, who will leave her role as Liz McDonald later this year, was best friends with Kirkbride and believes that she is still watching over her.

"I had been doing quite a lot of filming at the Barlows' set and it's a weird feeling," she told the Daily Star.

"She was there in spirit, most definitely, her photos are on the shelves and you can't go on the set without saying, 'Oh, I hope you're here with me'. I know she visits us.

"I have a big photo of her in my dressing room, and both our names are on the dressing room. I'm just hoping that even when I have gone, they both stay there."

Callard had been due to depart Weatherfield in a storyline airing next month but her exit is now likely to be delayed due to the coronavirus shutdown.