Shannen Doherty to honour Luke Perry's memory with Riverdale cameo

Shannen Doherty has said she is “deeply honoured” to be part of a tribute episode of Riverdale in memory of the late Luke Perry.

Doherty, 48, and Perry - who tragically died after suffering a stroke aged just 52 in March this year - starred together as high school sweethearts in hit 90s TV show Beverly Hills, 90210.

Perry starred as Fred Andrews, father of Archie Andrews, on CW series Riverdale.

Read more: Luke Perry had sent out 'save the date' invites for his wedding

Executive producer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa confirmed at San Diego Comic Con that the season 4 premiere will feature a special tribute to Perry and Doherty will guest star in a “special role” in the episode, which is titled Chapter Fifty-Eight: In Memoriam.

Doherty wrote on Instagram: “I am deeply honoured to pay tribute to Luke on Riverdale. The care in which this show takes in honouring his memory is beautiful. He is missed. Today. Tomorrow. Forever.”

Aguirre-Sacasa revealed at Comic Con that he and Perry had been planning a cameo from Doherty for years.

He said: “[It’s] something that Luke wanted to happen since season one.

Read more: Luke Perry's daughter speaks out after his death

“They were such good friends, and when we were putting together this tribute episode, we wanted to make it as special as possible, and so we asked Shannen to do a pivotal, super emotional role. She read the script and immediately said ‘yes.’ It’s very impactful.”

Perry rose to fame thanks to his role as Dylan McKayon in the original Beverly Hills, 90210, which ran from 1990 to 1995, then again from 1998 to 2000. Doherty played his onscreen girlfriend Brenda Walsh.

Perry - who had two children, 21-year-old son Jack and 19-year-old daughter Sophie - had been planning to marry his therapist fiancee Wendy Madison Bauer this summer.