The entertainment world is in mourning following the tragic death of actor William Rush, the son of former Coronation Street star Debbie Rush. The family confirmed he passed away on 17th December at the age of 31.
Heartbreaking Announcement from a Grieving Mother
Debbie Rush, who played Anna Windass on the ITV soap from 2008 to 2018, shared the devastating news on Instagram on Thursday, 18th December. She posted a photograph of William wearing a Manchester City shirt, describing him as her "beautiful baby boy".
"As a family, our hearts are completely broken, and there are no words that can truly capture the depth of our loss," she wrote. In a poignant tribute, she revealed that William was an organ donor, a final act of kindness that has given hope to other families.
A Promising Acting Career Cut Short
Following in his mother's footsteps, William Rush was a talented actor with a growing list of credits. He trained at the Manchester School of Acting and secured his most prominent role as Josh Stevenson on the BBC school drama Waterloo Road between 2009 and 2012.
His television work also included appearances in:
- Shameless
- Grange Hill
- Casualty
- Vera
- A 2014 stint on Coronation Street as a character who menaced Maddie Heath
William also showcased his vocal talents, reaching the six-chair challenge on The X Factor in 2016.
Outpouring of Love from Soap Community
The announcement prompted an immediate and emotional flood of condolences from Debbie Rush's former colleagues and friends in the acting world. The tributes highlighted the shock and profound sadness felt across the industry.
Sally Dynevor (Sally Metcalfe) commented, "Oh Debbie I'm so shocked to hear this news. Sending you so much love. What a beautiful boy he was." Catherine Tyldesley (Eva Price) shared she was "heartbroken" for the family.
Other Coronation Street stars paying tribute included:
- Jack P Shepherd (David Platt): "Terrible to read that Debbie. Devastating news."
- Tina O'Brien (Sarah Platt): "Sending you so much love."
- Sue Cleaver (Eileen Grimshaw): "So terribly saddened to hear this."
Messages also came from those who worked with William directly. Katie McGlynn, who starred in both Corrie and Waterloo Road, said: "Will brought a smile to everyone's face and was a very kind soul." Fellow Waterloo Road actress Chelsee Healey added: "my heart breaks for you all."
The family has requested privacy as they navigate their grief, concluding their announcement with the heartfelt hashtag #BeKind.
