At the 20th National Television Awards , held two days after Kirkbride 's death , her on-screen partner and close friend from '' Coronation Street '' , William Roache , paid tribute to Kirkbride during the ceremony . The actor Adam Woodyatt dedicated the " Best British Soap " award '' EastEnders '' won to Kirkbride , referring to her as " the Weatherfield One " , referencing the '' Coronation Street '' storyline which saw Deirdre wrongly imprisoned for fraud
20th National Television Awards
20th National Television Awards
Anne Kirkbride