‘Unimaginable Grief’: Corrie icon Debbie Rush confirms her son has died just days before Christmas — and the TV world is in mourning
Coronation Street favourite Debbie Rush has shared the most heartbreaking news of her life — her son, actor William, has tragically died at the age of 31, only a week before Christmas.
Debbie, who played Anna Windass on the beloved ITV soap, confirmed the devastating loss in a deeply emotional Instagram post, revealing that her family’s world has been “shattered beyond words”.
In her tribute, she wrote: “Our beautiful baby boy, William, passed away on 17th December. Our hearts are completely broken, and there are no words to describe the depth of our loss.”
While the cause of William’s death has not yet been revealed, Debbie shared one poignant detail that has brought a glimmer of hope through unbearable grief — her son became an organ donor, offering the precious gift of life to others.
“Even in our darkest moment, his kindness lives on,” she said.
William, who built an impressive acting career from a young age, was best known for playing Josh Stevenson on Waterloo Road between 2009 and 2013. His credits stretched across popular shows including Grange Hill, Shameless, and Vera.
He even shared the screen with his mother, appearing in two separate episodes of Coronation Street in 2014 — a full-circle moment that fans remember fondly.
And William’s talents extended beyond acting. In 2016, the young performer stood on one of television’s biggest stages — The X Factor — singing Zara Larsson’s Lush Life as he faced Simon Cowell, Sharon Osbourne, Louis Walsh and Nicole Scherzinger. He reached the six-chair challenge, earning thousands of supporters along the way.
Tributes from friends, colleagues, and fans have poured in:
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Sally Dynevor wrote she was “shocked” and sent “so much love,” describing William as “beautiful.”
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Actress Katie McGlynn remembered him as a kind soul who brought smiles wherever he went.
William is survived by his parents, Debbie and Andrew, and siblings Poppy and Tom. His sister Poppy — also an actress — has followed in her family’s footsteps with roles including Sophie Dodd in EastEnders.
As messages of sympathy continue to flood social media, Debbie has made one request: space and privacy as the family learns to navigate life through unimaginable grief.
He may be gone, but through generosity, kindness, and a career that touched British television, Debbie says her son’s legacy “will forever be in our hearts.”
