Fred Elliott star John Savident’s cause of death – everything we know so far

Fred Elliott star John Savident battled a number of health concerns before he died aged 86 this week.

The death of the much-loved actor, who made his debut on the Coronation Street cobbles in 1994, was announced by his agent in a statement today, which read: “We are sad to announce the death of the actor John Savident who died on Wednesday 21 February, he was a much-loved husband and father of two and will be sorely missed by all who knew him.”

Details surrounding John’s death are yet to be announced, however the star was open about his ill health shortly after his character was killed off in Coronation Street. In 2006, after Fred suffered a stroke on the day he was supposed to marry Bev Unwin, played by Susie Blake, John confirmed he was waiting for heart surgery. He said at the time: “Next year I am having a heart operation. I am having a new valve in. I am sick of the one I have got.”

Speaking shortly after undergoing the surgery in 2007, the star was dealt another blow after confirming his diabetes diagnosis while admitting he was struggling to recover from his operation. In an interview with The Herald, he said : “Three months’ convalescence is quite enough. Because I’ve not been onstage for such a long time that one forgets the energy and drive and dynamism required to sustain things. So I found myself getting very tired very quickly, and there was one performance that was very bad, which I found really quite frightening. I’m on top of it now, but now I’ve also been diagnosed with diabetes.”

Four years later, in 2011, the actor revealed he’d had a new hip fitted. Speaking to Manchester Evening News , John admitted his various operations had slowed him down, but spoke of his excitement over a Shakespeare role he had accepted. He said: “Now, in what I call the tea-time of my career, I’ve turned down quite a bit of work because I had a heart operation and a new hip. But working on this script for Shakespeare’s The Dream has been an absolute pleasure. I’ll be using the text wherever possible set to Mendelsshon’s score and as it’s mainly the fairy scenes it’ll be delightful.”

Guernsey-born John, who is survived by his wife since 1961, Rona Hopkinson, as well as their two children and several grandchildren, was also involved in a terrifying incident, which almost cost him his life back in 2002. After meeting an escort at a bar, the actor was brutally stabbed by him and lost two pints of blood.

Recalling the ordeal, he shared in court: “I suddenly felt somebody come up behind me and whizz me round so I was face down on the bed and then I felt a prick on my throat. He said something like, ‘I bet you have never met a schizo before’, which was really quite frightening.”

At the trial, Judge Harold Singer said that John was lucky to be alive after the knife hit a major blood vessel. The culprit Michael Smith was later sentenced to seven years.

The death of the soap legend has sent shockwaves through the Coronation Street community. Paying tribute to John, ITV Executive Producer for Continuing Drama Iain MacLeod said: “Everyone at Coronation Street is deeply saddened to learn of John Savident ’s death. As Fred Elliott, John firmly established himself in the pantheon of Coronation Street greats. His peerless comic timing, combined with a deep pathos arising from his outstanding dramatic skill, made Fred an unforgettable, iconic character that provided great joy to viewers for many years. On behalf of everyone here, I would like to extend condolences to John’s family and close friends at this sad time.”

Meanwhile, Sue Nicholls, who plays Audrey Roberts in the soap and shared many scenes with the star, said in an emotional statement shared with The Mirror: “I am very sad to hear of John’s passing. My memories of working with you dear John on the street are a joy, and always will be. God bless you and thank you for being in my life. Much love to you and your friends and family.”