BELOVED Coronation Street star John Savident has died aged 86.
The actor was known for his booming voice while playing butcher Fred Elliott in the ITV soap.
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John Savident dies aged 86 Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
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Actor played Fred Elliott in Coronation StreetCredit: Granada Television
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Savident joined cobblestones in 1994. Credit: Rex
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The character was known for his powerful voice and colorful love life Credits: Rex
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Savident walks Shelley Unwin down the aisle in the soap opera Credit: Rex
His agent said: “It is with sadness that we announce the death of actor John Savident who passed away on Wednesday 21st February.
“He was a loving husband and father of two children and will be greatly missed by all who knew him.”
Posting on Twitter, EastEnders actor Stuart Antony said: “BREAK the lovely John Savident. Always lovely and witty.”
ITV’s top soap presenter Iain MacLeod said: “Everyone at Coronation Street is deeply saddened to learn of John Savident’s death.
“As Fred Elliott, John has firmly established himself in the pantheon of Coronation Street greats.
“His unsurpassed comedic timing, combined with the deep pathos derived from his extraordinary dramatic skill, made Fred an unforgettable, iconic character.
“For many years, he provided great joy to the viewers.
“On behalf of everyone here, I would like to express my condolences to John’s family and close friends at this sad time.”
Sue Nicholls said: “I am very saddened to hear of John’s death.
“My memories of working with you, dear John, on the street are a joy and always will be.
“God bless you and thank you for being in my life. Much love to you and your friends and family.”
Savident first hit the cobblestones in 1994 and quickly became a fan favorite.
His story includes his disastrous love life, including three marriages and several failed proposals.
The secret son, Ashley Peacock, also made it to the show and the two later developed a close bond as they worked together as butchers.
Savident’s character was killed off in 2006, suffering a stroke on the day he was due to marry Bev Unwin.
Born in the Channel Islands, Savident was a police officer before becoming an actor.
He was passed on to the vicesquad in Manchester, where Granada wanted him for Corrie.
The veteran actor tired of living in the spotlight after he was stabbed in his Manchester flat in December 2000.
He called back Michael Smith, 30 – later jailed for seven years for the attack – to discuss theater after they met in a nightclub.
Savident longed to spend more time with his wife, children and grandchildren at home in Hertfordshire.
After leaving Corrie, he told the Mirror: “It was the show itself that helped me – it broke my heart.
“I was becoming an absentee husband, father and grandfather spending so many hours working on the Street.
“I couldn’t take it anymore – the whole situation was getting ridiculous and deeply moving.”
Fred Elliott’s best Corrie moments
Butcher Fred Elliott spent 12 years on Coronation Street and quickly became a fan favorite with his booming voice and habit of saying everything twice, and here are his most memorable moments…
- 1997 – Fred married Maureen Holdsowrth, but the marriage didn’t last as Maureen Sheree Hewson left him after just a week.
- 1999 – Fred lets slip that his nephew Ashley is actually his biological son from a one-night stand with an old employee.
- 2001 – Fred buys the Rovers Return for waitress wife Eva Sykes, but she quickly turns out to be a bigamist, leaving him alone again.
- 2004 – Unlucky in love Fred falls for Penny King until Mike Baldwin turns her head
- 2004 – Heartbroken Fred thought he had found love with Thai bride Orchid. Until he found out that it was all a scam and that she was actually a stall owner from Levenshume Market called Stacy Hilton.
- 2006 – Selling the Rovers to retire to the countryside with Bev Unwin, Fred spends the morning of his wedding telling Audrey Roberts he loves Bev. Before leaving her house he suffered a massive stroke, leaving Bev broken at the altar.
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