Alan Rothwell, the actor best known for portraying David Barlow on Coronation Street, passed away in May at the age of 89 following a brief illness. He was a member of the original cast of the iconic soap, playing Ken Barlow's brother from the very first episode in 1960 until 1969.
Career After Coronation Street
After leaving the cobbles, Rothwell appeared in other television shows, including Brookside as Nicholas Black in the mid-1980s, the ITV spy drama Top Secret in the early 1960s, and various roles on the BBC One soap Doctors in the 2000s. However, despite these roles, he accumulated significant debt following his divorce from Maureen Hayden, a former model he met while she worked as an extra on Coronation Street.
Life as a Taxi Driver
To make ends meet, Rothwell drove a taxi in Stockport and the Greater Manchester area during the 1990s. Passengers often recognized him, and he once told a newspaper: 'At first it took a bit of guts to do it, but I haven't any regrets over it. About 80% of the passengers recognise me immediately. It always comes as a bit of a shock for them.'
Later Roles and Tributes
Despite his financial struggles, Rothwell continued acting. He appeared in the BBC series The Musketeers as a villager and starred in the 2018 comedy film Walk Like A Panther. His death was announced on Coronation Street's official Instagram page, which stated: 'We're very sorry to hear of Alan Rothwell's passing and extend our sincerest condolences to his family at this very sad time. He created an iconic and memorable character in David Barlow and will forever be remembered as one of the original cast members of Coronation Street.'
His family confirmed he 'died peacefully in hospital' and described him as 'a loving husband, father, grandfather and uncle.' William Roache, who played his on-screen brother Ken Barlow, paid tribute: '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; he was a very good actor and a delightful man.'
