John Savident, actor who played Fred Elliott in Coronation Street, dies aged 86

The actor John Savident, best known for playing Fred Elliott in Coronation Street, has died.

The 86-year-old entertained audiences for over a decade playing a butcher on the ITV soap between 1994 and 2006.

In a statement today, his agent said that the actor who is survived by his wife Rona Hopkinson and their two children, passed away on Wednesday.

“We are sad to announce the death of the actor John Savident who died on Wednesday 21 Feb, he was a much-loved husband and father of two and will be sorely missed by all who knew him,” said the announcement.

Savident arrived on the cobbles in 1994 and quickly became a fans’ favourite for his personality and loud voice.

His storylines involved his disastrous love life, including three marriages and several failed proposals.

A secret son, Ashley Peacock, played by Steven Arnold, also arrived on the show and the two later developed a close bond as they worked as butchers together.

Savident’s character was killed off in 2006, suffering a stroke on the day he was supposed to marry Bev Unwin, played by Susie Blake.

Elliott’s death also saw Audrey Roberts, played by Sue Nicholls, confess that she still loved him following her turning down his proposal of marriage years previously.

Nicholls hailed him for bringing “joy” to her life, saying: “I am very sad to hear of John’s passing.

“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.”

The butcher’s previous wives on the show include Maureen Holdsworth, played by Sherrie Hewson, and barmaid Eve Sykes, played by Melanie Kilburn.

Along with his work in Coronation Street, Savident appeared in several stage shows and appeared on shows including Holby City and The Bill.

He also had a small role in Stanley Kubrick’s classic A Clockwork Orange in 1971 as conspirator Dolin.

Savident also made an appearance in the 1995 adaptation of Othello with Laurence Fishburne as the title character.

The actor was born in Guernsey in 1938 and escaped with his family to Britain during the German occupation of the island in 1940.

He was a police officer before moving to acting after he was scouted by Granada TV for Coronation Street while on secondment to the vice squad in Manchester.

The veteran actor tired of life in the spotlight after he was stabbed at his Manchester flat in December 2000.

He had invited back Michael Smith, 30, later jailed for seven years over the attack to talk about theatre after they met in a nightclub.

Savident yearned to spend more time with his wife, children and grandchildren back home in Hertfordshire.

After leaving Coronation Street, he told the Mirror: “It was the show itself that did for me – it was breaking my heart.

“I was becoming an absentee husband, father and grandfather by spending so many hours working on The Street.

“I couldn’t go on any longer – the whole situation was becoming ridiculous and deeply distressing.”

Following news of his death, broadcasters paid tribute to the “lovely and witty” actor and credited him with delivering one of the most distinctive characters in soap opera history.

A tribute on behalf of Coronation Street remembered Savident having “peerless comic timing, combined with deep pathos”.

A post on X, formerly Twitter, 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.

“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.”

Daran Little, the BAFTA winning screenwriter behind nearly 100 episodes of Coronation Street, said: “Oh darling John Savident. So many happy memories forever in my heart. Rest in peace my friend, Big D xx”.

Broadcaster Tom Hourigan said Savident delivered “arguably one of the most distinctive characters – and deliveries – in British soap history”.

Actor Stuart Antony shared a picture of himself with Savident, describing him as “always lovely and witty”.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.