ITV Coronation Street star dies aged 78 after long battle with illness

Everton’s chairman, Bill Kenwright, has died at the age of 78 after a long health battle. A lifelong fan, Kenwright had been a shareholder at Goodison Park since 1999 and took on the role of chairman in 2004.

The former West End producer, who also appeared in Coronation Street, hadn’t been seen at any Everton games since last season. The club announced earlier this month that he had surgery to remove a cancerous tumour from his liver in August.

After a lengthy stay in intensive care following the surgery, Kenwright was discharged from hospital on October 12 to continue his recovery at home.

Everton chairman Bill Kenwright has died at the age of 78 (Image: PA) Read More Related Articles Read More Related Articles

In a statement released on Tuesday, the club said: “Everton Football Club is in mourning following the death of Chairman Bill Kenwright CBE, who passed away peacefully last night aged 78, surrounded by his family and loved ones.”

“Everton’s longest serving chairman for more than a century, Bill Kenwright led the Club through a period of unprecedented change in English football.”

“A lifelong Evertonian, he became a board member on October 23, 1989, and then on Boxing Day 1999 his True Blue Holdings consortium acquired the Club. Initially vice-chairman, he succeeded his close friend Sir Philip Carter as Chair in 2004.”

“In his 19 seasons as Chairman, the Club secured 12 top eight finishes, including a top four finish in 2005, a run to the 2009 FA Cup final and European qualification on 6 separate occasions.”

“The club has lost a chairman, a leader, a friend, and an inspiration. The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Everton are with his partner Jenny Seagrove, his daughter Lucy Kenwright, grandchildren and everybody who knew and loved him.”

Tributes have poured in for the chairman and former actor with Liverpool FC tweeting: “Rest in peace, Bill Kenwright. The thoughts of everyone at Liverpool FC are with Bill’s family, friends and everyone at Everton.”

Bill Kenwright also appeared in Coronation Street with Sir Ian McKellen (Image: PA) Bill Kenwright played Gordon Clegg in Coronation Street (Image: Mirrorpix)

Former Everton forward Kevin Campbell said: “RIP Bill Kenwright and deep condolences to your family and The Everton Family too,” with Everton icon Peter Reid adding: “RIP Bill.”

Acting legend Sir Ian McKellen said: “Like many grateful actors I am in debt to Bill Kenwright for employment. “Frank and Percy” at his @TheOtherPalace will be his last theatre production. And “The Critic,” will be his last film.

“We were young together, when he was in Coronation Street and I was dipping a toe into Shaftesbury Avenue. Since then, I have admired the resilient way in which he encouraged theatre to thrive in London and in the regions whether it was yet another tour of that wonderful musical “Blood Brothers” or sponsoring the Peter Hall Company in the classics.

“In private, Bill relished gossip and loved to reminisce. He seemed to have known everyone in the business and to care about them. Yet every chat would veer round to his equal passion Everton football. The city that gave us The Beatles and two major football teams, also bred a unique impresario. Whether the West End lights will be turned off in his memory, certainly our business will be dimmer now he has gone.”

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