Coronation Street actor Liam McCheyne has paid tribute to fellow ITV soap star Timothy West, who also appeared in BBC EastEnders.

ITV Coronation Street teen star issues devastating statement after co-star dies

by · Birmingham Live

An ITV Coronation Street star has issued a devastating announcement after the death of a fellow cast member. Coronation Street actor Liam McCheyne has paid tribute to fellow ITV soap star Timothy West, who also appeared in BBC EastEnders.

The pair starred together in the BBC drama, Last Tango in Halifax. Dylan Wilson actor Liam, 17, said: “Today, we received the devastating news that Timothy West had passed away this morning. Both me and my brother Connor had the privilege of sharing the screen with him during our time on Last Tango in Halifax.

“A true gentleman on and off screen, and someone who I admired dearly. He always gave his time, and looking back, now it's something I am hugely appreciative of. Tim really did inspire me to pursue my career as an actor and was one who always believed in me from being young.

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“A very special gentleman who touched the hearts of many. Sleep well, Tim.” His children, Juliet, Samuel and Joseph West, said in a statement: “After a long and extraordinary life on and off the stage, our darling father, Timothy West, died peacefully in his sleep yesterday evening. He was 90 years old.

“Tim was with friends and family at the end. He leaves his wife, Prunella Scales, to whom he was married for 61 years, a sister, a daughter, two sons, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. All of us will miss him terribly.

“We would like to thank the incredible NHS staff at St George’s hospital, Tooting, and at Avery Wandsworth for their loving care during his last days.” Paying tribute to West on Times Radio, the broadcaster and Alzheimer’s campaigner Angela Rippon said his death was “a huge loss to everybody”.

“I think between them, Timothy and Pru did an amazing, amazing job of convincing people that dementia was not something that you should be always afraid of, but something that you could embrace and live with and live with well.”