Coronation Street fans have paid tribute to actor Michael Byrne, who died on June 20 at the age of 97, as news of his death emerged while classic episodes featuring his character aired on ITV3.
Byrne's Role as Ted Page
Byrne was known to ITV soap fans for playing Gail Platt's long-lost father, Ted Page. Ted first appeared in Weatherfield in spring 2008, with Gail having spent over five decades unaware of her father's identity. It transpired that Gail's mother, Audrey Roberts, had been in a relationship with Ted, a soldier at the time, but chose not to tell him about her pregnancy.
When Ted discovered he had a daughter, he attempted to build a relationship with her. Within a week of arriving on the cobbles, he revealed to Gail that he was gay and had recently lost his partner of 20 years. Byrne's final on-screen appearance as Ted came in January 2010, when he asked Joe McIntyre, Gail's fourth husband, to return his money after helping with debts. Ted was last mentioned on Corrie in 2021, when Gail was devastated to learn he had died.
Fan Tributes on Social Media
Following the news of Byrne's death, Coronation Street fans took to social media to share their condolences. @camjmes0 said: "So sad to hear about the death of Michael Byrne who played the glorious Gay Ted in #Corrie." @THEJohnMcNee replied: "He was brilliant as Ted." @mrcrh11_holmes commented: "Ted was class who sadly just disappeared. Was good mates with Ken." @sarahlawson84 posted: "Oh crikey! Love watching Ted on #ClassicCorrie at the min, a great character well acted. Thoughts with his family #Corrie." @mishybabez_ added: "I've been watching in Classic Corrie on ITV3 I loved his character. RIP Michael."
Byrne's Extensive Career
Byrne began his career in theatre, appearing in 1960s productions alongside Maggie Smith and Robert Stephens in Shaffer's The Royal Hunt of the Sun and Pinero's Trelawny of the Wells. He later moved to film, acting alongside Mel Gibson in Braveheart and with Pierce Brosnan in the James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies. He also worked on the Sir Ian McKellen film Apt Pupil, playing a Jewish concentration camp survivor.
Byrne is best known for playing Colonel Vogel in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. He also played Gellert Grindelwald in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1, and appeared in hit films such as The Eagle Has Landed, A Bridge Too Far, The Medusa Touch, The Saint, The Sum of All Fears, and Gangs of New York.
