Soap opera legend is horrified when she discovers her character is DEAD and will never return

A SOAP legend was shocked after finding out about the death of her beloved character.

Weatherfield icon Denise Osbourne has made numerous appearances on the cobbles over the years under the name Denise Black.

She first appeared in Coronation Street in 1992, playing the wife of Ken Barlow and mother of Daniel Osbourne.

The actress left the ITV soap for good in 1997.

Denise later returned in 2007 and 2017, but has not been seen since, despite her son Daniel’s recent misfortunes – as well as the birth of her grandson Bertie.

And now the star is furious after a fan told her her bosses “killed” her character.

On Facebook, Denise wrote: “While I was walking I met a lady who said to me: ‘I know who you are’, we started chatting and then she said to me: ‘You’re dead’. WTF?!”

The 64-year-old continued: “Apparently Denise Osbourne passed away a few years ago. I’m absolutely devastated.

“I googled everywhere and couldn’t find anywhere that said she died, but if Daniel inherited $400,000 I guess it’s over. Ouch!!”

“My God, I loved working on Corrie. Brilliant work, eternally grateful.”

Denise also starred in rival soap Emmerdale, where her character Joanie Wright was killed off.

She was Zak Dingle’s third wife, but died when she learned he had reunited with his ex-wife Lisa.

Denise’s fan may have confused her characters – or not.

Coronation Street airs on ITV1 and ITVX.