Thursday’s (01.06.17) episode of ‘Coronation Street’ was dedicated to Roy Barraclough.
Just hours after the beloved actor – best known for playing Rovers Return landlord Alec Gilroy in the long-running ITV soap – passed away following a short illness, ITV remembered him with a moving tribute.
At the end of Thursday’s episode, viewers could see a picture of Roy, 81, with the words: "In memory of Roy Barraclough 1935 – 2017."
Barraclough, who was awarded an MBE for services to drama and charity in 2006, first appeared in ‘Coronation Street’ in 1964, before he joined the soap on a permanent basis in 1986.
Julie Goodyear, who played his on-screen wife Bet Lynch, led the tributes to the comedic actor, saying she will "treasure" the times they spent together.
Julie said in a statement: "My dearest friend Roy Barraclough has passed away at 6am this morning.
"I have no words to describe how devastated I feel. We kept in close touch and spoke to each other at least two or three times every week.
"I will treasure all the happy times we had working and laughing together. We were just like a married couple, crazy, I know, but true."
During his lengthy career, Barraclough also appeared in a 2016 revival of the sitcom ‘Are You Being Served?’, as well as ‘Last of the Summer Wine’, ‘Casualty’ and a stage production of the Arthur Miller play ‘Death of a Salesman’.
Coronation Street’s tribute to Roy Barraclough
