Coronation Street actor Roy Barraclough has died aged 81

Hayley Coyle

Corrie actor Roy Barraclough has died after a short illness.

Roy Barraclough has passed away aged 81
Roy Barraclough has passed away aged 81 (PA)

The 81-year-old played Rovers Return landlord Alec Gilroy in the long running soap and was known for his fiery marriage to Bet Lynch.

Gavin Barker Associates said in a statement: “Our client Roy Barraclough has passed away today aged 81 after a short illness.”

He first appeared as a talent agent in Corrie in the early 1970s before becoming a regular face on the cobbles from 1986 until 1992 and returning again in 1996 for two years.

Alec and Bet share a kiss on their wedding day in 1987
Alec and Bet share a kiss on their wedding day in 1987 (PA)

Barraclough’s performances as one half of the double act ‘Cissie and Ada’ with comedian Les Dawson in the 1970s and 80s were also loved by TV viewers.

His other TV work includes roles in Casualty, Last Of The Summer Wine and Last Tango In Halifax.

Last year, Barraclough appeared in the BBC’s one-off tribute to Are You Being Served? as Mr Grainger.

Jack Duckworth [William Tarmey] and Alec Gilroy [Roy Barraclough] chat over the bar in the Rovers in 1997 (Rex)
Jack Duckworth [William Tarmey] and Alec Gilroy [Roy Barraclough] chat over the bar in the Rovers in 1997 (Rex)

In 2006, Barraclough was awarded the MBE for services to drama and his charity work which included more than 20 years as a patron of Willow Wood Hospice in Greater Manchester.

Barraclough started his showbiz career as a comedian and pianist at a holiday camp on the Isle of Wight, before joining the Huddersfield Repertory Company.

By the late 1960s he had taken on a range of TV roles and had started working with comedian Les Dawson, who died in 1993.

'The Les Dawson Show' with Les Dawson and Roy Barraclough in 1975
‘The Les Dawson Show’ with Les Dawson and Roy Barraclough in 1975 (Rex)

Following Barraclough‘s death, Dawson’s daughter Charlotte posted a tribute on Twitter

Comedian Matt Lucas posted a picture of the pair filming for 2015.

Coronation Street will dedicate tonight’s episode to Barraclough and released a statement paying tribute to him.

“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.’

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Coronation Street will dedicate tonight’s episode to Barraclough and released a statement paying tribute to him.

“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.’