‘John was one of Corrie’s greats...he brought joy to viewers for many years’
Heartfelt tributes to cobbles favourite Savident
JOHN Savident, adored by TV fans as Coronation Street’s booming-voiced butcher Fred Elliott, has died at 86.
The star’s agent said the “muchloved husband and father of two” died on Wednesday, adding: “He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.”
Actress Sue Nicholls, 80, who played Fred’s long-term love interest Audrey Roberts on the ITV soap, said yesterday: “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.”
Fred arrived on the Corrie cobbles in 1994 and quickly became a firm favourite with fans.
Storylines involved his disastrous love life, which encompassed three marriages and several failed proposals.
A secret son, Ashley Peacock, played by Steven Arnold, also arrived and the two later developed a close bond as they worked together as butchers.
Iain MacLeod, ITV’s executive producer for continuing drama, said: “Everyone at Coronation Street is deeply saddened to learn of John Savident’s death.
“As Fred Elliott, John firmly established himself in the pantheon of Coronation Street greats.”
He added: “His peerless comic timing, combined with a deep pathos arising from his outstanding dramatic skill, made Fred an unforgettable, iconic character that provided great joy to viewers for many years.
“On behalf of everyone here, I would like to extend condolences to John’s family and close friends at this sad time.”
John’s character was killed off in 2006, when
Fred suffered a stroke on the day he was supposed to marry Bev Unwin (Susie Blake).
Fred’s death also saw Audrey confess that she still loved him, after she had turned down his proposal of marriage years before.
The boisterous butcher’s previous wives also included Maureen Holdsworth (Sherrie Hewson) and Rovers Return barmaid Eve Sykes (Melanie Kilburn).
John was also known for political comedy Yes, Minister, Stanley Kubrick’s 1971 dystopian thriller A Clockwork Orange, 1982 biopic Gandhi, 1969 film Battle Of Britain, sci-fi series Doctor Who and period dramas The Remains of the Day and Middlemarch.
Other credits include opera house owner Monsieur Firmin in the first staging of The Phantom Of The Opera in 1986. He reprised the role in 2011 for the Royal Albert Hall concert film.
John appeared on stage in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and Hobson’s Choice.
He leaves his wife, theatre director Rona Hopkinson, and children Romany and Daniel.