Coronation Street star Cheryl Murray has died aged 71, after starring as Gail Platt’s best friend Suzie Birchall on the soap.
The actress first appeared on Corrie in 1977, with her character striking up a friendship with Helen Worth’s Gail and most of her storylines revolving around their antics together.
She was later written out in 1979, but returned for a brief stint in Weatherfield in 1983 before saying goodbye to the cobbles for good.
Cheryl tragically passed away in September last year, with her cause of death not publicly known.
As well as her role on Corrie, she also appeared in 1980s sitcom Hi-de-Hi! as Joan Wainwright, as well as an episode of Sorry! opposite Ronnie Corbett.
Coronation Street star Cheryl Murray has died aged 71, after starring as Gail Platt’s best friend Suzie Birchall on the cobbles
The actress first appeared on Corrie in 1977, with her character striking up a friendship with Helen Worth’s Gail and most of her storylines revolving around their antics together (pictured together in 1977)
She was later written out in 1979, but returned for a brief stint in Weatherfield in 1983 before saying goodbye to the cobbles for good (pictured in 1983)
She also appeared in the music video for Morrissey’s hit song Everyday is Like Sunday, playing the eldest daughter of Billie Whitelaw and sister of Smiths fan Lucette Henderson.
Sadly during her time on Coronation Street, Cheryl was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and had her first attack.
The chronic nerve disease forced her to retire early from acting in 1998, following a short spell on Emmerdale.
Her last onscreen appearance was on the ITV documentary, Gail and Me: 40 years of Gail on Coronation Street, alongside Helen Worth.
In a statement, ITV said: ‘We are saddened to hear of the recent passing of Cheryl Murray, our thoughts are with her family and friends.
‘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.’
Following the news of her death, fans flooded social media with tributes to the late star, with praise for her talents.
Cheryl tragically passed away in September last year, with her cause of death not publicly known
Sadly during her time on Coronation Street, Cheryl was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and had her first attack (pictured in 1977)
The chronic nerve disease forced her to retire early from acting in 1998, following a short spell on Emmerdale (pictured in 1995)
Her last onscreen appearance was on the ITV documentary, Gail and Me: 40 years of Gail on Coronation Street, alongside Helen Worth
‘We’ve just learned that Cheryl Murray aka Suzie Birchall passed away in September last year. Suzie was a real highlight of Corrie in the late 1970s and would definitely have gone on to become of the greats if she’d been in the show longer. RIP Cheryl’.
‘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.’
‘Farewell Cheryl Murray, extremely sad news, she was apparently suffering with MS for a great many years, now out of pain’.
They wrote: ‘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.’
Following the news of her death, fans flooded social media with tributes to the late star, with praise for her talents