Roy Barraclough dead – Coronation Street legend dies age 81 following a short illness
Since news of his death emerged, fans have been paying tribute to his memory on social media
FORMER Coronation Street actor Roy Barraclough, who played Alec Gilroy, died today aged 81 after a short illness.
The Lancashire-born actor's agent confirmed his death this morning.
A star on the stage and screen, Barraclough was best known for his role as Alec Gilroy in the ITV soap.
Gavin Barker Associates said in a statement: "Our client Roy Barraclough has passed away today aged 81 after a short illness."
Since news of his death emerged, fans have been sharing their favourite memories of the actor - with his co-star and on-screen wife Julie Goodyear leading the tributes.
She said in a statement: “My dearest friend Roy Barraclough has passed away at 6am this morning.
“I have no words to describe how devastated I feel. We kept in close touch and spoke to each other at least 2 or 3 times every week.
“I will treasure all the happy times we had working and laughing together. We were just like a married couple, crazy, I know, but true.”
Corrie actress Beverly Callard, who plays Liz McDonald, said: "I will be forever indebted to Roy he was one of the people who trained me in the all the skills required for working in a long running series like this.
"Along with Julie Goodyear, Bill Tarmey and Betty Driver he taught me everything about this job. He almost got me sacked many times because he made me laugh so much.
"It was a joy to be in his company, he was one of the funniest people I knew and he had the biggest heart. I feel honoured to have known and worked with him. He will be sadly missed."
Charlotte Dawson, the daughter of Roy's Lez Says co-star Les Dawson also gave her condolences.
The reality told her followers: "I’m devastated. At least you get to be reunited with my daddy."
Comedian Matt Lucas also paid tribute to Roy.
He posted a picture of himself with Roy on Twitter and wrote: "Happy days with Roy Barraclough on 'Pompidou'. Lovely man, brilliant actor."
Returning Coronation Street actress Denise Black paid her respects during an appearance on Loose Women.
She told the panel: "I just heard, he was a lovely man and it was a sad loss."
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Corrie’s Executive producer, Kieran Roberts today, gave his thoughts and revealed that tonight’s episode would be dedicated to Roy.
He said: “Roy was a delightful person as well as a wonderful actor and will be greatly missed by all of us connected with the programme.
“The fact that the character of Alec Gilroy was at the heart of the show for so many years and was held in such affection by so many fans is a tribute to Roy's genius, for drama as well as comedy.
“Tonight's episode of Coronation Street will be dedicated to his memory.”
Hundreds of Coronation Street fans turned to Twitter to remember Roy.
One fan wrote: "Sad to see one of Preston's greats leave us."
Another tweeted: "Sad to hear the news about actor Roy Barraclough. Fantastic character actor. He was wonderful in Coronation Street and with Les Dawson #RIP."
A third posted: "RIP Roy Barraclough. Thanks for all the laughs."
Barraclough appeared as a talent agent in Corrie in the early 1970s before becoming a regular face on the cobbles from 1986 until 1992 and returning again in 1996 for two years.
As Gilroy, he was best known for his stormy marriage to Bet Lynch.
His other TV work includes roles in Casualty, Last Of The Summer Wine and Last Tango In Halifax.
Last year, Barraclough appeared in the BBC's one-off tribute to Are You Being Served? as Mr Grainger.
He was awarded an MBE in the 2006 for services to drama and to charity in the North West.
Speaking about his reign on Coronation Street in 2011, Roy only had fond memories of his time on the cobbles.
Roy said: "They brought me in to run a drinking club as they had a story where the Rovers was going to burn down and would therefore be out of use for some time.
"They then decided to team Bet and Alec up and they then married us off. They always had a struggle to get me to sign a new contract because I was always tempted to go and do something new.
"So I had breaks every now and again – but if you add it all up, I played Alec across 25 years and from my first Corrie appearance until my last was 34 years."
However in recent years, Roy made no secret of his fears for the soap after they announced they would air six episodes a week.
He told The Mirror: "I don’t wish them ill but I fear it will all end in tears – the quality is bound to suffer.
"The actors will not be able to cope, so they will inevitably have to get in more actors to play more characters. With such a huge cast it is very difficult to pull that off.
"Of course it can be done, but just how well is another matter. It is a mistake, it’s pure overkill."
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