Alan Rothwell, one of the original faces of Coronation Street, has passed away at the age of 89. The veteran actor, who became known to viewers as David Barlow, leaves behind a legacy tied closely to the early years of the ITV soap, and his passing has now brought heartfelt tributes from those who worked with him and remembered his contribution to British television.
Alan Rothwell Passes Away After Brief Illness
Alan Rothwell passed away on May 14 after suffering from a brief illness. His family confirmed the sad news, according to Press Association reports. At the time of his passing, the actor was 89 years old.
His family also shared that he passed away peacefully while admitted to a hospital. However, they did not provide any further details about his illness or the circumstances surrounding his final days at the time of writing.
In a statement, his family remembered him not only for his long career on screen but also for the role he played in their personal lives. The statement read, “Beyond his professional achievements, he was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and uncle. He will be fondly remembered and deeply missed.”
Rothwell’s death marks the loss of another important name from Coronation Street’s early history. His role as David Barlow connected him to the soap’s very beginning, making him part of a cast that helped shape one of Britain’s most enduring television shows.
Tributes Pour In For The Coronation Street Actor
After news of Alan Rothwell’s passing emerged, tributes began to pour in from fans, colleagues, and those connected to Coronation Street. Many remembered his work on the soap and the place he held among the show’s original cast members.
William Roache, who worked with Rothwell on Coronation Street, shared a heartfelt tribute after hearing the news. He wrote, “I am very sorry to hear of Alan’s passing. He and I worked together on the very first episodes of Coronation Street, which was such a wonderful time, I got to know him well over the years. I send my thoughts and condolences to his family.”
Roache’s words carried extra weight because of their shared history on the soap. Both actors were part of Coronation Street’s earliest days, and Rothwell’s connection to those first episodes made his passing especially poignant for longtime viewers. For more such Coronation Street updates, keep followin Soap Opera Daily!