Coronation Street actor John Savident, best known for playing the beloved butcher Fred Elliott, survived a horrific stabbing in 2000 that left him losing two pints of blood. His attacker, Michael Smith, a 30-year-old with 60 prior convictions, was sentenced to 20 years in prison after a week-long trial at Manchester Crown Court.
Attack at the Actor's Flat
Savident, then 62, met Smith at Napoleon’s bar in Manchester during an event for World Aids Day. Smith convinced the actor he was a drama student. Later, at Savident's flat, the two talked until the early hours. When Savident went to his bedroom to charge his phone, Smith pushed him face down onto the bed and held a knife to his throat. Savident recalled: "I suddenly felt somebody come up behind me and whizz me round, so I was face down on the bed, and then I felt a prick on my throat. He said something like 'I bet you have never met a schizo before', which was really quite frightening."
Attacker's Criminal Record and Sentence
Smith was arrested on Canal Street the same day, his clothes soaked in Savident's blood. He was charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and robbery, having taken Savident's wallet, keys, credit cards, cash, a silver money clip, jewellery and an invitation to the soap's 40th birthday party. During the trial, Smith sacked his counsel and claimed self-defence, alleging Savident made sexual advances. Savident denied this, stating they had returned to his flat so he could advise Smith on entering show business. Judge Harold Singer noted Savident could have bled to death as the knife hit a major blood vessel.
Return to Coronation Street
After the attack, Savident returned to filming and the injury was worked into his character's storyline. Fred Elliott appeared with a plaster on his neck, blaming a "butchering accident." Savident continued on the show until his character's onscreen death in 2006. The actor, who played the local butcher from 1994, was famous for his catchphrase "I say, I say," his complicated love life, and tragic storylines including dying on the day he was to marry Bev Unwin (played by Susie Blake).
