Coronation Street viewers have been moved by the storyline of Elaine Webster's death from cancer, but the actress who played her, Judy Gridley, died in real life at just 41. Gridley portrayed Elaine, the mother of Carl Webster, who appeared on the cobbles in 1984 before leaving in 1985.
In the current plot, Carl (Jonathan Howard) received a phone call informing him of his mother's death, later revealing she had months to live but kept it from him due to their strained relationship. The on-screen Elaine was described as 'not the most loving of mothers'.
Judy Gridley first appeared on Coronation Street in 1984, striking up a romance with Bill Webster (Peter Armitage). The couple left for Southampton and then Germany, where they had son Carl. In 1994, Elaine had an off-screen affair, leading to separation, with Bill returning to Weatherfield.
Before her soap role, Gridley performed in the original West End production of Cabaret and had TV credits on shows like Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em, Rosie and Funny Man. She was married to musician Howard Tibble from 1972, living in Finchley, London.
Sadly, Judy Gridley died in October 1987 after a long illness, just over two years after leaving Coronation Street, at the age of 41.
