character. She also appeared, along with the rest of the Coronation Street cast, in episodes of This Is Your Life for Patricia Phoenix in 1972, Jack Howarth in 1974, Julie Goodyear in 1980, William Roache in 1985 and Anne Kirkbride in 1998. Her son has denied that Derbyshire is reclusive, pointing out she is simply "private, and one of the last of a dying breed of old-fashioned actresses who do it for the love of acting, not for all the attendant publicity". Derbyshire has three grandchildren. She is also godmother to three of William Roache's children, and Barbara Knox's daughter Maxine. Derbyshire left Coronation Street for personal reasons in December 2015. Her departure aired on 1 January 2016, then described as a sabbatical. She returned for a cameo appearance as part of the on-screen celebrations for long-standing character, Ken Barlow's 80th birthday in October 2019, being seen on a video call. Honours Derbyshire was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2010 Birthday Honours, for services to drama. References External links Profile at corrie.net including a rare photo out of character Alumni of the Royal Academy of Music English soap opera actresses English television actresses Living people People from Urmston Members of the Order of the British Empire 1931 births