Coronation Street star Cheryl Murray dead at age 71

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. However the news of her passing was only publicly revealed on Thursday.

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.

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.'

Cheryl married her first husband, surveyor, Ian Murray in 1970 but they later divorced and she went on to tie the knot with management consultant Colin Jacobs.

The couple also later divorced by they share a daughter Louise who was born in 1981.

Following the news of her death, fans flooded social media with tributes to the late star, with praise for her talents. 

'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.' 

'What a #Corrie icon! RIP x'; 'Shocked that she has passed AND shocked that she passed last year. A fabulous character and a superb actor. Fondly remembered like so many of the actors who have passed from Coronation Street. RIP Cheryl Murray xxx';

'Wait - what?!? Coronation Street star Cheryl Murray passed away in 2023? I had no idea. What sad news. As Suzie Birchall, she was a fantastic addition to the #Corrie cast; Suzie's friendship with Gail Potter (as she was before marrying Brian Tilsley) was a real treat. RIP.'

'Really sad news that Cheryl Murray passed away last year, but it's taken until now for us to have noticed. Those early days with her and Helen Worth were brilliant. A breath of fresh air on the street. Coronation Street was my "Watch With Mother". Great memories'.

Arriving to the soap as a teenager, Suzie first found a job alongside Gail in clothes shop Sylvia’s Separates.

Despite them initially clashing, the two went on to become best friends and even lived together alongside Elsie Tanner at Number 11.

After the pair were fired by Mike Baldwin they considered a new life in London, with Suzie heading to the big city alone. 

However she soon returned to the cobbles and was a bridesmaid at Gail's first (of six) marriages to Brian Tisley. 

Suzie then left for London again before briefly returning in 1983 where she moved back in with Elsie after separating from her abusive husband.

Suzie also had her time behind the soaps famous bar as she got a job at the Rovers Return.

Failing to see eye to eye, Gail and her clashed once again and after an explosive showdown with Elsie she was ordered to leave before she later retired from acting in 1998. 

The actress spoke about her MS diagnosis on many occasions as she explained: 'MS has never really stopped me doing anything. I get attacks about once a year when I have to go to bed for a few days but I have brilliant doctors who sort me out. 

'Between times - apart from being careful with steps because my legs can be a bit wobbly sometimes - I don't think about it very often. Truly, I don't.'

Describing the first time she experienced the condition, she revealed she thought she had a virus of the spine. 

'I was in bed in my flat in Manchester when I was suddenly woken up by a tremendous pain in my back, as though knives were being stabbed into me, and found I could barely move.

'I honestly thought I was dying and crawled to the phone to dial Granada for help.'