Bill Roache’s eldest daughter Vanya has passed away aged 50.
The ‘Coronation Street’ actor is thought to have been given compassionate leave from the popular ITV soap – where he plays Ken Barlow – after the passing of his eldest daughter Vanya, whom he had with his first wife Anna Cropper.
According to The Sun newspaper, Vanya passed away on March 2 at the age of 50, though at the time of writing it is not known what caused her death.
A source told the newspaper: "Bill is utterly heartbroken. No father should have to go through the loss of a child, let alone two. ITV are giving him all the time he needs but he’s understandably very upset. After hearing the news on Friday he’s been told to take as long as required. There’s no word just yet on when he’ll return."
Tragically, it comes as the third family loss for the 85-year-old actor, whose second wife Sara Mottram died in 2009 aged 58.
In 1983, Bill and Sara lost their daughter Edwina to pneumonia, at the age of just 18 months.
Vanya leaves behind fiancé Toby, who she lived with in Chichester, West Sussex, and friends of iconic actor’s daughter have already begun to pay respects on social media.
Her friend Wendy Elisabeth Vick posted a picture of the pair of them with the caption: "My beautiful, perfect, wonderful best friend and soulmate. Forever in my heart."
At the time of writing, Bill or the rest of his family – including other daughter Verity and two son Linus and James – have yet to make a statement on the tragic news.
Bill Roache’s daughter has died
