Debbie Rush reacts to the Corrie cast's condolences after son's death

by · Mail Online

Debbie Rush has shared her reaction to the Coronation Street cast offering their condolences, after her son's death on Wednesday.

The actress, who played Anna Windass on the soap, revealed her son William passed away on Wednesday at the age of 31, just a week before Christmas.

In an emotional post on Instagram, Debbie said she and her family have been left 'completely broken' by the news and are suffering an 'unimaginable grief' in the wake of his death.

The post sparked an outpouring of tributes from many of Debbie's former Corrie co-stars, with the star replying to one from Catherine Tyldesley saying they were 'devastated' by William's death.

Catherine commented: 'Oh love, I'm heartbroken for you all. I am so deeply sorry. I'm sending so much love and strength.

Debbie replied: 'Thank Cath. We're devastated.'

Debbie Rush has shared her reaction to the Coronation Street cast offering their condolences, after her son's death on Wednesday
The actress, who played Anna Windass on the soap, revealed her son William passed away on Wednesday at the age of 31, just a week before Christmas (pictured in 2018)

Angela Griffin wrote: 'Debbie, my heart breaks for you and all your family. I remember him with such fondness. So, so sad. Sending all the love and light possible to you.'

Jack P Shepherd wrote: 'Terrible to read that Debbie. Devastating news thinking of you all.'

Tina O'Brien posted: 'Sending you so much love, thinking of you all.'

Sacha Parkinson wrote: 'I am so sorry for you all Debbie, this is just awful news and I can't begin to imagine the pain. Sending love and strength to you all.'

Rebecca Ryan, who starred alongside William in Waterloo Road, commented: 'Debbie, I am so sorry sorry to hear this!! Sending you all the love. He was such an amazing light. Thinking of you and your beautiful family.'

Brooke Vincent wrote: 'Oh Debbie. I am so sorry for your loss!! I'm sending you all so much love.'

Sally Carman said: 'I'm so, so sorry Debbie. Thinking of you all and sending so much love.'

Joe Duttine posted: 'Oh my. I'm so sorry to be reading this, sending love to you and the family.'

The post sparked an outpouring of tributes from many of Debbie's Corrie co-stars, with the star replying to one from Catherine Tyldesley saying they were 'devastated' by William's death

Sally Ann Matthews posted: 'I can't begin to imagine your loss. Such a close, loving family. Your love for each other and pride in your family was clear and obvious. 

'As a fellow Mum, I just wish I could find the words to make this easier. Sending love to you all.'

Also among the stars to offer their sympathies was Aimee Lou Wood, who wrote: 'Debbie, I am so so sorry. Sending you all my love.'

Debbie replied: 'Thank you sweetheart.'

William found on-screen stardom as schoolboy Josh Stevenson in BBC One's Waterloo Road between 2009 to 2013. He also starred in Vera, Casualty and had a long running role as Ali Duncan in Grange Hill from 2005 to 2007.

He followed in his mother's footsteps by appearing in an episode of Corrie in 2014.

William later appeared on X Factor in 2016 when he was 21. He performed a version of Zara Larsson's Lush Life and made it all the way to the third of four elimination stages.

Sharing her son's tragic death on Instagram, Debbie wrote: 'Our beautiful baby boy, William, passed away on 17th December. As a family, our hearts are completely broken, and there are no words that can truly capture the depth of our loss.

'Even in our darkest moment, William gave the most precious gift of all. Through being an organ donor, he has given hope and life to other families, thinking of others right to the very end. His kindness and love will forever be part of his legacy.

'We kindly ask that our privacy be respected as we navigate this unimaginable grief. William will always be loved, always missed, and forever in our hearts.'

Debbie joined the long-running soap as Anna Windass in 2008. Her most memorable storyline came in 2018, when Anna stabbed villain Pat Phelan, played by Connor McIntyre, to death. 

William's sister Poppy is also an actress and, like her brother and mother, has starred in multiple episodes of Coronation Street. 

In an emotional post on Instagram, Debbie said she and her family have been left 'completely broken' by the news and are suffering an 'unimaginable grief' in the wake of his death 

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Debbie married husband Andrew in 1989 and the couple share three children, Poppy, William and Tom. 

William first got into acting after playing the Artful Dodger in a production of Oliver at his school Bamford Academy. He also attributed the school's headteacher Cherie Rivero as his inspiration for becoming an actor.

'Without this school I wouldn't be acting,' he said in an interview in 2013. 'Ms Rivero made me do the play and that was what has influenced me into what I am doing now.

'Without her I wouldn't have the career I have now.'

William attended the Manchester School of Acting before landing his first on screen role in BBC's Shameless in 2007. 

He then starred as Ali Duncan in seven episodes of Grange Hill from 2005 to 2007, but his most well known role came in 2009 when he landed a part in Waterloo Road.

William played the role of Josh Stevenson, the son of English teacher Tom Clarkson, for 70 episodes.