CORRIE STAR ROY DIES AGED 81
CORONATION Street star Roy Barraclough died yesterday after a short illness, aged 81.
The TV and stage veteran was best known as Rovers Return landlord Alec Gilroy who had a stormy marriage to Bet Lynch, played by Julie Goodyear.
He died at 6am yesterday at Willow Wood Hospice in Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, of which he was a patron for more than 20 years.
Last night, as tributes to Roy flooded in, his on-screen wife Julie said she was devastated by the loss of her “dearest friend”.
Julie, 75, said: “I have no words to describe how devastated I feel.
“We kept in close touch and spoke to each other at least two or three times every week.
“I will treasure all the happy times we had working and laughing together. We were just like a married couple, crazy I know, but true. Rest in peace, Roy. I will always love you.”
Fellow Coronation Street stars also paid tribute.
Beverley Callard, who played Rovers’ landlady Liz McDonald, said: “I will be forever indebted to Roy. He was one of the people who trained me in all the skills required to work in a long-running series like this.
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“He almost got me sacked many times because he made me laugh so much. It was a joy to be in his company, he was one of the funniest people I knew and he had the biggest heart. I feel honoured to have known and worked with him.”
Simon Gregson, still starring in the Street as Liz’s son Steve McDonald, said: “Roy’s passing has come as a huge and sad shock.
“I learnt so much from Roy and was very proud to call him a friend.
“He was always lovely to me and I will miss him very much. He gave so much to entertaining people and will be very much missed.”
Last night’s episode of the soap was dedicated to Roy’s memory as ITV praised the “warmth and love” he had brought to the show.
Executive producer Kieran Roberts said: “Roy was a delightful person as well as a wonderful actor and will be greatly missed by all of us connected with the programme.
“The fact that the character of Alec Gilroy was at the heart of the show for so many years and was held in such affection by so many fans is a tribute to Roy’s genius, for drama as well as comedy.”
Lancashire-born Roy, who left the soap over Christmas 1998, was also famous for his double act with Les Dawson, who died in 1993.
They created some of the nation’s favourite characters, including gossipy housewives Cissie and Ada.
Dawson’s daughter Charlotte, 24, tweeted: “I’m devastated...at least you get to be reunited with my daddy.”
Astrologer Russell Grant said: “Sad to say old pal Roy Barraclough has passed over. His double act with Les Dawson as Cissy and Ada had me in stitches.
Roy began his career as a comedian and pianist at a holiday camp on the Isle of Wight before joining Huddersfield Repertory Company.
In 1964, during his years with Oldham’s Coliseum Theatre company, he made his first Coronation Street appearance as a tour guide, returning later to sell Stan Ogden his window cleaning round and then again as a bed salesman.
He appeared as a talent agent in the early Seventies before becoming a regular face from 1986 until 1992 and returning again in 1996 for two years.
His other TV work included roles in Casualty, Last Of The Summer Wine and Last Tango In Halifax.
In 2006 he was awarded an MBE for services to drama and for his charity work.