google-site-verification: googlec7193c3de77668c9.html

John Savident: Actor who played Fred Elliott in Coronation Street dies | Ents & Arts News

John Savident, best known for playing Fred Elliott in Coronation Street, has died aged 86.

“We are sad to announce the death of the actor John Savident who died on Wednesday 21 February,” his agent said.

“He was a much-loved husband and father of two and will be sorely missed by all who knew him.”

Savident arrived on the famous cobbles in 1994 and was quickly established as a fan favourite, known for his booming voice while playing butcher Fred on the ITV soap.

His disastrous love life, including three marriages and several failed proposals, was among his most memorable storylines.

A secret son, Ashley Peacock, played by Steven Arnold, also arrived on the show and the two later developed a close bond as they worked as butchers together.

John Savident.
Pic: PA
Image:
John Savident.Pic: PA

In 2006, his character was killed off the show after suffering a stroke on the day he was supposed to marry Bev Unwin, played by Susie Blake.

His character’s death also saw Audrey Roberts, played by Sue Nicholls, admit she still loved him – even after turning down his marriage proposal years previously.

His career beyond Corrie stretched to political comedy Yes, Minister, biopic Gandhim Stanley Kubrick’s dystopian thriller A Clockwork Orange and war film Battle Of Britain.

He also appeared in Doctor Who and period dramas The Remains Of The Day and Middlemarch.

John Savident picking up the award for Best Soap by TV viewers, at Carlton TV's British Soap Awards in 1999. Pic :PA
Image:
John Savident picking up the award for Best Soap by TV viewers, at Carlton TV’s British Soap Awards in 1999. Pic :PA

He was in the first staging of the musical Phantom Of The Opera, in October 1986, as the opera house owner Monsieur Firmin.

In 2011, he then returned to play the character at the Royal Albert Hall concert film.

Savident was married to theatre director Rona Hopkinson and they had two children.

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.

Please refresh the page for the fullest version.

You can receive Breaking News alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News App. You can also follow @SkyNews on X or subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.

Views: 0

See also  Doctor Who boss Russell T Davies hits back at 'wokeness' criticisms

Check Also

Jelly Roll files for divorce from Bunnie XO after nearly a decade

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Jelly Roll has filed for divorce from …

Katy Perry, Justin Trudeau spotted kissing during Santa Barbara picnic

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Katy Perry was living a teenage dream …

Shania Twain reveals she was malnourished in pursuit of being thin

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Shania Twain revealed she pushed her body …

Leave a Reply

Available for Amazon Prime
Just a moment....