Coronation Street Star John Savident has died aged 86.
John was best known for playing Butcher Fred Elliott on the ITV soap.
The actor’s agent announced that he passed away on Wednesday 21st February.
His agent said: “We are sad to announce the death of the actor John Savident who died on Wednesday 21 February.”
“He was a much-loved husband and father of two and will be sorely missed by all who knew him.”
Posting on Twitter, EastEnders actor Stuart Antony said: “RIP wonderful John Savident. Always lovely and witty.”
John decided to quit the soap in 2006 to spend more time with his family in Hertfordshire.
After leaving Corrie, he told the Mirror: “It was the show itself that did for me – it was breaking my heart.”
“I was becoming an absentee husband, father and grandfather by spending so many hours working on The Street.”
“I couldn’t go on any longer – the whole situation was becoming ridiculous and deeply distressing.”
His character was killed off the show after suffering a stroke on the day he was supposed to marry the character Bev Unwin.
His character’s death also saw character Audrey Roberts admit that she still loved him – which came as a shock as she had turned down his marriage proposal years prior.
