Maggie Jones, AKA Corrie's 'Blanche', Dies

A few weeks back, we feared the worst. And now it has come to pass. The soul gleaning year that has been 2009 claimed yet another talent today - Blanche off Corrie.

Maggie Jones suffered a fall back in October, which resulted in a ruptured spleen. A source speaking to UPI.COM reports: "Maggie had been making a slow recovery but her condition deteriorated early this morning and she passed away peacefully in her sleep."

Her onscreen son-in-law, William Roche, said: "Maggie was a big part of the Barlow family and a brilliant actress. She was a tower of strength, physically frail but mentally strong as an ox and sharp as someone half her age. She had an amazing dry wit and was as funny, if not funnier, than Blanche. We were great crossword partners - we sat through Tracy's trial scenes doing the crossword together. I don't think Maggie ever realised how much she was loved - not only by everyone on the show but by the millions of Blanche fans out there. She will be greatly missed."

That she will. Speaking as someone who has been previewing Corrie for more years than she'd care to recall; the 75-year-old's one-liners will be especially missed.

Maggie, we hope you enjoy The One O'Clock Club in the sky.

RIP.