CORRIE LEGEND GONE
John Savident dead: Coronation Street star best known for playing butcher Fred Elliott dies aged 86
Savident had a surprising job before becoming an actor
BELOVED Coronation Street star John Savident has died at the age of 86.
The actor was known for his booming voice while playing butcher Fred Elliott on the ITV soap.
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His agent said: "We are sad to announce the death of the actor John Savident who died on Wednesday 21 February.
"He was a much-loved husband and father of two and will be sorely missed by all who knew him."
Posting on Twitter, EastEnders actor Stuart Antony said: "RIP wonderful John Savident. Always lovely and witty."
ITV soaps supremo Iain MacLeod said: "“Everyone at Coronation Street is deeply saddened to learn of John Savident’s death.
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"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.
"He 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.”
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Sue Nicholls said: "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."
Savident first stepped on the cobbles in 1994 and quickly became a fan favourite.
His storylines involved his disastrous love life, including three marriages and several failed proposals.
A secret son, Ashley Peacock 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.
Born in the Channel Islands, Savident was a cop before becoming an actor.
He was seconded to the vice squad in Manchester, where he was scouted for Corrie by Granada.
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 Corrie, he told the : "It was the show itself that did for me - it was breaking my heart.
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" 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."
Fred Elliott’s best Corrie moments
Butcher Fred Elliott spent 12 years on Coronation Street and quickly became a fan-favourite with his booming voice and habit of saying everything twice and here are his most memorable moments...
- 1997- Fred married Maureen Holdsowrth but the marriage didn’t last with Sheree Hewson’s Maureen leaving him after just a week.
- 1999 - Fred let slip that his nephew Ashley was actually his biologically son from a one night stand with an old employee.
- 2001 - Fred bought the Rovers Return for barmaid wife Eve Sykes but it quickly emerged that she was a bigamist leaving him alone again.
- 2004 - Unlucky in love Fred fell for Penny King until she had her head turned by Mike Baldwin
- 2004 - Heartbroken Fred thought he’d found love with Thai bride Orchid. Until he learned that it was all a scam and she was actually a stallholder from Levenshume Market called Stacy Hilton.
- 2006 - Selling the Rovers to retire to the country with Bev Unwin, Fred spent the morning of his wedding telling Audrey Roberts that he loved Bev. Before leaving her house he suffered a massive stroke, leaving Bev devastated at the altar.
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