Coronation Street's Suzie Birchall star Cheryl Murray dies aged 71 as ITV pays tribute
Actress Cheryl Murray, who was best known for her role as Gail's best friend Suzie Birchall in Coronation Street, has died at the age of 71. The redheaded star was also known for her roles in the classic sitcoms Sorry! and Hi Di Hi! and the soap Emmerdale. 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."
Cheryl was best known for her role as bubbly Suzie in the soap, in which she starred from 1977 to 1979, and then again in 1983. Her first storyline involved her getting her foot stuck through legendary character Hilda Ogden's ceiling, and she also had a romance with a sugar daddy before leaving the cobbles for London in 1979. Suzie returned in 1983 following an abusive marriage, and moved back in with Elsie Tanner. Although Suzie was Gail's best friend, she tried to seduce Gail's husband Brian, and once Gail learned of the betrayal she ended their friendship and landlady Elsie threw Suzie out. She then left Weatherfield again, never to return.
As well as her role in Corrie, Cheryl played Joan Wainwright in holiday camp comedy Hi Di Hi! and appeared as Gillian in the Ronnie Corbett sitcom Sorry! in an episode called Collapse of Small Party. She also starred in the video for former The Smiths frontman Morrissey's song Everyday Is Like Sunday that was released in 1988, playing the daughter to actress Billie Whitelaw's mother, while Morrissey himself popped up in cameo roles as a cyclist, shop assistant and customer in a cafe.
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The actress, who was born in Liverpool, made her first screen appearance in ITV comedy series Billy Liar in 1973, when she was 21. She followed that up with roles in the gritty prison drama Within These Walls, which also offered an early role for her Coronation Street co-star Helen Worth. Cheryl's other pre-Corrie roles included guest appearances in classic police dramas Z Cars and Dixon of Dock Green, as well as Crown Court and 1977 horror series Supernatural.
Sadly, Cheryl retired from acting in 1998, aged 46, shortly after appearing in Emmerdale in a small role as Mrs Parker. She had been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis years before, and had her first attack while filming Coronation Street. She died on 23 September 2023.
