Coronation Street stars have paid tribute to actor Peter Armitage, best known for playing Bill Webster, after his death at the age of 78.
Coronation Street star Peter Armitage, best known for his role has Bill Webster, has died at the age of 78.
Charlie Lawson - who plays Jim McDonald - shared the sad news on Twitter.
"It’s with great sadness, that I’ve to tell you my great old friend Pete Armitage has died. RIP mate," he wrote.
Simon Gregson, who plays Steve McDonald, echoed his thoughts, writing, "I loved Pete what a lovely man very sad RIP lovely man."
No cause of death has yet been given, but Peter revealed four years ago that he was in remission from bowel cancer.
Peter first took on the role of Kevin Webster's dad for a six-month stint in 1984 before returning for a two-year stint from 1995-1997.
He most recently featured as a main character between 2006 and 2011. His other TV credits include The Befrienders, Couples, Jack the Ripper and Hearts and Minds.
Peter left Corrie in 2011 after being told by producer Phil Collinson that there was no future for his character.
But in 2014 Peter revealed he would like to return to Corrie after successfully beating bowel cancer.
He said: "I’ve put my life on hold for the past few months, but as soon as the ileostomy is reversed – hopefully next month – I’d like to get back to work again.
"It’s 30 years since I first started on the cobbles and I’ve always come in and out."
As the news broke more Coronation Street stars took to social media to pay their respects.
Jane Danson, best known for playing Leanne Battersby, wrote: "So sorry to hear this, lovely man. Thoughts to family and friends."
Other Twitter users looked back on Peter's role in an iconic 1985 Yellow Pages advert, where he played the proud dad of a young boy looking for a new bike.
https://youtu.be/GBtLTCRDGhM
Maria Longchambon, who stars as Maria Connor, wrote: “So sorry to hear this Charlie. Pete was such a lovely man.. he’ll be sadly missed.”
