Actor who played Alec Gilroy in the soap died on Thursday after a short illness, agent says

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

The former Coronation Street actor Julie Goodyear has led tributes to her former co-star and on-screen husband Roy Barraclough, who has died aged 81.

In an emotional statement on Thursday, Goodyear said she was devastated to hear of the death of her “dearest friend”.



Roy Barraclough obituary Read more

During a 55-year career in theatre and on TV, Barraclough was best known for his Corrie character Alec Gilroy, who had a stormy marriage to Bet Lynch, played by Goodyear.



Goodyear, 75, said: “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.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Coronation Street barmaid Bet Lynch (actor Julie Goodyear) gets a kiss from her groom Gilroy in 1987. Photograph: PA

“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. Rest in peace, Roy. I will always love you.”



A statement from Gavin Barker Associates said Barraclough had died following a short illness.



The actor made a number of brief appearances in Coronation Street throughout the 1960s and 70s, before becoming a regular face on the cobbles from 1986 until 1992, and returning again in 1996 for two years.



The Coronation Street team shared a nostalgic clip from his days on the ITV soap on Twitter, describing him as a man who brought “warmth and love” to the show.



But Barraclough fans will also know him as one half of Les Dawson’s TV comedy double act that stormed to success in the 1970s.



Facebook Twitter Pinterest Barraclough shows off his MBE in 2006. Photograph: Fiona Hanson/PA

He had originally stepped in to fill the shoes of Dawson’s previous partner – who had been put off by his attitude to rehearsing – and the pair went on to create some of the nation’s favourite sketches, including gossipy housewives Cissie and Ada.



Dawson’s daughter Charlotte wrote on Twitter: “Omg I’m devastated ... at least you get to be reunited with my daddy.”



Comedian Matt Lucas posted a picture of himself and Barraclough filming 2015 show Pompidou. He wrote: “Happy days with Roy Barraclough on ‘Pompidou’. Lovely man, brilliant actor.”

Barraclough’s more recent television roles included Casualty, Last of the Summer Wine and Last Tango in Halifax, as well as an appearance as Mr Grainger on the BBC’s one-off tribute to Are You Being Served? last year.



Coronation Street bosses have promised to dedicate Thursday night’s episode to Barraclough’s memory. Executive producer Kieran Roberts said: “Roy was a delightful person as well as a wonderful actor and will be greatly missed by all of us connected with the programme.

“The fact that the character of Alec Gilroy was at the heart of the show for so many years and was held in such affection by so many fans is a tribute to Roy’s genius, for drama as well as comedy.”