Waterloo Road’s William Rush died days after being found unconscious

Waterloo Road star William Rush died days after he was found unconscious at home by his partner, an inquest has heard.

The 31-year-old, who played schoolboy Josh Stevenson in the BBC One drama, died on 17 December at Salford Royal Hospital.

A witness statement by senior police coroner’s officer Marcheta Hogan to the inquest opening at Bolton Coroner’s Court on Tuesday said there were no suspicious circumstances in Rush’s death.

Bury-born Rush appeared in 168 episodes of Waterloo Road between 2009 and 2013. As a child actor, he appeared in Grange Hill and Shameless, and later went on to roles in Casualty and Vera.

Following his death, his mother – former Coronation Street actress Debbie Rush – said the family’s “hearts were completely broken”.

The actress who played Anna Windass in Coronation Street for a decade, described William as “our beautiful baby boy”.

She said: “There are no words that can truly capture the depth of our loss.”

She also paid tribute to her son’s decision to become an organ donor before he died.

“Even in our darkest moment, William gave the most precious gift of all,” she said.

“His kindness and love will forever be part of his legacy.”

Rush, who lived in Rochdale, auditioned for ITV talent show The X Factor in 2016, and made it as far as the “six-chair challenge”, the stage between boot camp and judges’ houses.