Brookside's Sinbad actor Michael Starke pays emotional tribute to co-star Anna Norbury
Anna - known for her role as Alice Farnham in the Channel 4 soap - tragically passed away at the age of 26 on September 7th
Actor Michael Starke had paid an emotional emotional tribute to his late Brookside co-star Anna Norbury.
Anna - known for her role as Alice Farnham in the Channel 4 soap - tragically passed away at the age of 26 on September 7th.
Her heartbroken family shared the devastating news with the world today.
Michael - who played Thomas 'Sinbad' Sweeney on the soap for 16 years - took to Twitter to pay his respects in a poignant tribute.
He penned: "Today we say farewell to Anna Norbury. She was 'Baby Alice Farnham' in Brookside. She was one of the most treasured and beautiful young cast members.
"Love and strength to her wonderful family."
He went on to change his Twitter profile picture to a snap of him with Anna in memorium.
His poignant tweet saw Gabrielle Glaister - who played Patricia Farnham in Brookside - write: "Sending love from me and Steven."
To which Michael responded: "I'm thinking of you guys today too. Hope you’re well Gabs xxxx"
Announcing the sad news in an obituary published in the Telegraph, Anna's mum Maria wrote: "She will be remembered for her warmth, her wit, her clarity, her forthrightness, and above all for her beautiful and innocent humanity.
"Anna may have been born with special needs, but she was so special and unique in herself that we were the ones who needed her.
"Her smile shone a bright light into the world of everyone who was lucky enough to meet her. Our loss is greater than we can ever say."
Anna starred in Brookside for three years after starting on the show in 1994.
Anna also appeared in Channel 4 documentary Home Free in 2019, where she was joined by her partner Joe.
The show focused on people living with disabilities on their journey to independence.
Anna's aunt Katherine also tweeted: "Anna Kate Norbury who won the hearts of millions as Alice Farnham in Brookside and more recently in the Channel 4 documentary Home Free with her boyfriend Joe, with whom she was on the cusp of beginning independent living has died aged 26."
To Bookside fans Anna will be best remembered as baby Alice, who helped shed light on Down Syndrome during her time on the soap.
Anna left the show in 1997 as part of a dramatic storyline where her on-screen mother Patricia fled to France to escape her partner Max.
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