Coronation Street has shared a touching tribute to Kay Patrick following her sad death earlier this month. Patrick, who worked as a director on the soap, died on June 2 at the age of 84.
Patrick, whose birth name was Patricia Jackson, joined Corrie back in 1994 and directed over 250 episodes.
Tonight’s episode features a special tribute to the longtime director with an on-screen tribute that appears before the end credits.
ITV
Reflecting on her 21 years working on the series, Patrick previously said: “I was lucky enough to be there at such an unusual time.” (by using Guardian).
One of her most memorable episodes was the tragic death of beloved character Hayley Cropper (Julie Hesmondhalgh) in 2014.
After being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, Hayley made the heartbreaking decision to take her own life rather than suffer from the terminal illness.
“The almost holy atmosphere that she created in the studio during those last scenes… She instinctively knew it was a one-take moment and so she just blocked it and filmed it with such understated love and sensitivity,” Hesmondhale recalls.
“The fact that these scenes turned out so vivid and memorable is entirely down to Kay.”
ITV
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As well as directing, Patrick was also an accomplished actor, having attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts (RADA) in London. She got her first professional job in 1958, playing the lead role in Gigi.
She later appeared in Doctor Who in the ’60s, starring alongside First Doctor William Hartnell. She went on to work on a number of soap operas and dramas, including EastEnders, Brookside, Emmerdale And Holby City throughout her impressive career.
She also worked in radio for around 20 years, including BBC Radio, promoting new works as well as being involved in the world of theatre. Patrick was predeceased by his siblings and is survived by a niece and nephew.
Coronation Street airs weekdays at 8.30pm on ITV1 and is broadcast on ITVX.
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