Remember me
The son of Coronation Street star Debbie Rush who died this week was the doting father of a baby son who was looking forward to a dream wedding, it has emerged.
William Rush, 31, regularly celebrated his joy at becoming a parent, sharing pictures on social media of young Frankie who he described as 'my world' - and was expected to soon marry the baby's mother, Melissa.
But his mother Ms Rush, 59, who played Anna Windass in the ITV soap from 2008 to 2018, yesterday revealed that 'beautiful' William had died on Wednesday, adding that her family has been left 'completely broken'.
Now the Daily Mail has learned that Mr Rush had become engaged to partner Melissa Cotterill, 36, having proposed in June 2024 - and the pair regularly shared pictures of themselves with baby Frankie, who was born in October last year.
The only suggestion of any possible difficulties in Mr Rush's life came in June 2023 when he posted a cryptic message saying: 'I'm going away for a few months. No access to my mobile so if you think I'm ignoring you l'm not…'
He then didn't post again for six weeks - and was soon a parent himself and documenting his baby's life.
In one picture the tot - then only a few weeks old - is dressed in a Man City onesie as his dad feeds him.
In another picture of smiling Frankie, William posted: 'The happiest little fella… always wakes up on the right side of the bed.'
William Rush, 31, regularly celebrated his joy at becoming a parent, sharing pictures on social media of young Frankie who he described as 'my world'
Mr Rush became engaged to partner Melissa Cotterill, 36, having proposed in June 2024
In another, from April, he can be seen pushing Frankie in a pram.
William had attempted to follow his mother into a show business career, initially as an actor and later a singer too.
He enjoyed success playing schoolboy Josh Stevenson in BBC One's Waterloo Road between 2009 to 2013. He also starred in Vera, Casualty, and had a long running role as Ali Duncan in Grange Hill from 2005 to 2007.
And he followed in his mother's footsteps by appearing in an episode of Corrie in 2014.
He then pivoted more towards music, appearing on X Factor in 2016 when he was 21.
He performed a version of Zara Larsson's Lush Life and made it all the way to the third of four elimination stages.
And more recently the talented guitarist appeared to have thrown his energy into his music, touring venues around the north west, competing in 'battle of the bands' events and even releasing his own music.
Ms Rush joined the long-running soap as Anna Windass in 2008. Her most memorable storyline came in 2018, when Anna stabbed villain Pat Phelan, played by Connor McIntyre, to death.
The mother-of-three and her family have been left 'completely broken' by the news and are suffering an 'unimaginable grief' in the wake of his death.
In an emotional post on Instagram, the star said: 'Our beautiful baby boy, William, passed away on 17th December. As a family, our hearts are completely broken, and there are no words that can truly capture the depth of our loss.
Debbie Rush revealed her son William passed away on Wednesday at the age of 31, just a week before Christmas (pictured in 2018)
William had attempted to follow his mother into a show business career, initially as an actor and later a singer too
'Even in our darkest moment, William gave the most precious gift of all. Through being an organ donor, he has given hope and life to other families, thinking of others right to the very end. His kindness and love will forever be part of his legacy.
'We kindly ask that our privacy be respected as we navigate this unimaginable grief. William will always be loved, always missed, and forever in our hearts.'
William's sister Poppy is also an actress and, like her brother and mother, has starred in multiple episodes of Coronation Street.
Debbie married husband Andrew in 1989 and the couple share three children, Poppy, William and Tom.
This morning, actress and presenter Denise Welch gave a heartfelt tribute to William during an interview with Scott Mills on BBC Radio 2.
'I was on set yesterday when I picked up my phone and read it, and it was the saddest news I could hear,' the Steph Haydock star said.
'I worked quite a long time with William, and I haven't seen him for a long time. You know how life is, the kids go off and do their thing. But he was the loveliest person. And his mum Debbie, who people will know as Anna Windass in Coronation Street. Again, a fantastic family.
'All I can say on behalf of me and all of those at Waterloo Road is we just send our love. I can't think of anything worse. A beautiful young man and a wonderful family and my heart breaks for them.'
The only suggestion of any possible difficulties in Mr Rush's life came in June 2023 when he posted this cryptic message on social media
Fellow Coronation Street star Sally Dynevor sent a message of support for Ms Rush saying: 'Oh Debbie I'm so shocked to hear this news.
'Sending you so much love. What a beautiful boy he was.'
Waterloo Road actress Katie McGlynn also paid tribute to William. She wrote: 'Debbie I am so sorry to you all.
'Will brought a smile to everyone's face and was a very kind soul. Thinking of you & sending so much love to you all.'
William first got into acting after playing the Artful Dodger in a production of Oliver at his school Bamford Academy. He also attributed the school's headteacher Cherie Rivero as his inspiration for becoming an actor.
'Without this school I wouldn't be acting,' he said in an interview in 2013. 'Ms Rivero made me do the play and that was what has influenced me into what I am doing now.
'Without her I wouldn't have the career I have now.'
William attended the Manchester School of Acting before landing his first on screen role in BBC's Shameless in 2007.
He then starred as Ali Duncan in seven episodes of Grange Hill from 2005 to 2007, but his most well known role came in 2009 when he landed a part in Waterloo Road.
William played the role of Josh Stevenson, the son of English teacher Tom Clarkson, for 70 episodes.