Coronation Street actor Peter Armitage has died at 78 years old.
The Sheffield born actor played Bill Webster in the ITV soap first in 1984 for six months and then from 1995 to 1997 and more recently from 2006 to 2011.
Peter revealed four years ago that he had beaten bowel cancer but his cause of death is currently unknown.
His friend and co-star Charlie Lawson, who plays Jim McDonald, posted the sad news on Twitter on Tuesday.
@itvcorrie @simongregson123 It’s with great sadness, that I’ve to tell you my great old friend Pete Armitage has died. RIP mate.
— Charlie Lawson (@charlie_lawson1) 4 December 2018
He tweeted “@itvcorrie @simongregson123 It’s with great sadness, that I’ve to tell you my great old friend Pete Armitage has died. RIP mate.”
Several Corrie stars took to Twitter to pay tribute to the late actor – who also appeared alongside Sir David Jason in sitcom Lucky Feller – including Simon Gregson, who plays Jim’s son Steve McDonald.
I loved Pete what a lovely man very sad RIP lovely man
— simon gregson (@simongregson123) December 4, 2018
https://twitter.com/realsamia/status/1070074359463731201
So sorry to hear this , lovely man . Thoughts to family and friends x
— Jane Danson (@RealJaneDanson) December 4, 2018
Aw sad news, Charlie. He was a lovely man xxx
— Georgia Taylor (@RealGeorgiaT) December 4, 2018
He tweeted: “I loved Pete what a lovely man very sad RIP lovely man.”
Samia Longchambon, who stars as Maria Connor, tweeted: “So sorry to hear this Charlie. Pete was such a lovely man.. he’ll be sadly missed”
Jane Danson, who plays Leanne Batterby, tweeted: “So sorry to hear this, lovely man. Thoughts to family and friends x.”
Toyah Battersby actress Georgia Taylor also tweeted: “Aw sad news, Charlie. He was a lovely man xxx.”
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Peter starred alongside Sherrie Hewson on the soap, with her character Maureen Webster departing Weatherfield for Germany with Bill.
The couple later returned to our screens in 2006 when Bill headed back to the cobbles to visit his family, but he began an affair with Audrey Roberts (Sue Nicholls).
Maureen found out about their affair on Christmas Day and she headed back to Germany.
Peter first played Bill from 1984 to 1985 and then returned to Weatherfield in 1995 until 1997.
After returning again in 2006, he frequently turned up on the cobbles, but made his final appearance in December 2011.
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