Coronation Street star dies at 71 following tragic health diagnosis

Cheryl Murray, who played Gail Potter's best friend Suzie Birchall in Coronation Street, has died at the age of 71

Coronation Street star Cheryl Murray has passed away, a report has claimed. The 71-year-old, best known for playing Gail Potter's best friend Suzie Birchall on the ITV drama, died on September 23 last year, according to The Mirror.

While she worked on the famous Greater Manchester set between 1977 and once more in 1983, it's understood she was eventually forced to quit acting due to a multiple sclerosis diagnosis in 1998. This debilitating disease, which affects the brain and spinal cord, can have an array of distressing symptoms.

Memory issues, blurred vision and severe muscle cramps are among them. Often these may intensify during 'flare-ups' or 'relapses', according to the NHS, which may worsen over time. ITV said in a statement: "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."

Born in Liverpool in 1952, Murray also had roles in Emmerdale, Brookside, and Supernatural. It is believed that she first experienced symptoms of multiple sclerosis while on Coronation Street, leading to her early retirement at the age of 46.

The actress spoke about her diagnosis on many occasions. In the past, 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." She believed she had a virus of the spine when she had her first MS attack. She could barely move and had to crawl to the phone to call for help.

"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."

It's currently unclear whether her death was linked to her multiple sclerosis diagnosis. Reach has approached ITV for further comment.