Coronation Street and Doctor Who star William Russell has passed away age 99, reports claim. No cause of death has yet been confirmed, but tributes have flooded in from fans worldwide
Actor William Russell has passed away at age 99, reports claim.
The late star will be remembered for being in the original series of Doctor Who cast in 1963. He later returned to the role for a cameo in 2022 – breaking a TV record in the process.
Russell first came into prominence on the ITV series The Adventures of Sir Lancelot back in 1956. He later then enjoyed an acclaimed career on both stage and screen and worked for decades, with his most famous role being Ian Chesterton opposite Doctor Who’s William Hartnell in the BBC series very first episode as well in Coronation Street.
In 2022, Russell made an epic return to the role in 2022, to send Jodie Whittaker off in style as she enjoyed one last stint as The Doctor, and reprised his role of Ian 57 years on from first appearing on the sci-fi show. Ian, who worked as a science teacher, was a companion of the very first Doctor, portrayed by William Hartnell from November 1963 until October 1966.
Russell, became one of the four original cast members of Doctor Who alongside Jacqueline Hill and Carol Ann Ford, later narrated several Doctor Who audiobooks. In addition to this also appeared as David Copperfield in episodes of Tales From Dickens, in the remake of St Ives in 1960 and played Martin Kennedy in Breaking Point.
Not only this, he also played a recurring role as Tom Preston in Harriet’s Back In Town. More recently appeared in an episode of Agatha Christie: Poirot.
The actor also boasts the record for the most prolonged gap between TV appearances. On the 59th anniversary of the BBC show, they confirmed: “The longest gap between TV appearances is 57 years 120 days, and was achieved by William Russell (UK) as the Doctor Who character Ian Chesterton in the ‘The Power of the Doctor’ episode, which aired on 23 October 2022.”
Since the news broke, fan have shared tributes online. One fan wrote: “What sad news to say farewell to William Russell. What a wonderful man with a delightful family an extraordinary life & career.”
The Radio Times revealed Russell passed away on Monday 3rd June. The actor is survived by his three children, Robert, Laetitia and Vanessa, from his first marriage to Balbina Gutierrez. He is also survived by his son Alfred, whom he shared with his second wife Etheline Margareth Lewis.
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