The Coronation Street community has bid farewell to several beloved stars in 2026, including an actor from the Platt family and a long-serving director.
Michael Byrne: Gail Platt's Father
In June 2026, Michael Byrne died at age 82. He played Ted Page, the long-lost father of Gail Platt (Helen Worth), who re-entered her life after 50 years, having come out as gay and discovering Audrey (Sue Nicholls) had given birth to his daughter. Byrne gave Gail away at her wedding to Joe McIntyre (Reece Dinsdale) before his character was killed off in 2021. Beyond Corrie, Byrne appeared in the Harry Potter franchise as Gellert Grindelwald in Deathly Hallows Part 1 (2010), and in films like Tomorrow Never Dies, Braveheart, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and Gangs of New York.
Kay Patrick: Director of Over 250 Episodes
Director Kay Patrick died in June at age 84. She joined Coronation Street in 1994 and helmed more than 250 episodes over 21 years. Reflecting on her tenure, she said, "I was lucky to be there at such extraordinary times." Her death was announced on June 24, with a funeral service held on Monday. Mourners were asked to "leave the formal back clothes at home," as "Kay would have wanted everyone to dress for comfort!" No cause of death has been disclosed.
Alan Rothwell: Original Cast Member as Ken Barlow's Brother
Alan Rothwell, who played Ken Barlow's brother David in the 1960s, died in May at age 89. He first appeared when the soap launched in 1960, made sporadic appearances in 1963–1964, and returned as a regular until 1968. Rothwell also appeared in Brookside as Nicholas Black in the mid-1980s, the ITV spy drama Top Secret, and the BBC soap Doctors. The soap's Instagram account shared a black-and-white image of him in character, stating he will be "forever remembered" as one of the first actors on the show.
Paul Seed: Father Harris in the Late 1970s
Paul Seed died in March at age 78. He played Father Harris on Coronation Street between 1979 and 1981, officiating the wedding of Gail and Brian Tilsley (Christopher Quinten) and the christening of their son Nick at St. Boniface Church in Lower Broughton. According to The Guardian, Seed died of cancer on March 7. He is survived by his wife Elizabeth Cassidy, whom he met on the set of Z Cars, and their two sons, Jack and Sean.
Angela Pleasence: Hippie Monica Sutton
Angela Pleasence, daughter of actor Donald Pleasence, died in April at age 84. She played Monica Sutton in 1968, a hippie who set up a commune at No. 11. Her later TV work included The Possessed, The Expert, Casualty, The Bill, Doctor Who (as Queen Elizabeth I), and The Sarah Jane Adventures.
Coronation Street airs Monday to Friday at 8:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
