Alan Rothwell, Original Coronation Street Star, Dies at 89 After Short Illness
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · May 14
Alan Rothwell, Original Coronation Street Star, Dies at 89 After Short Illness
11 articles · Updated · BBC.com · May 14
Alan Rothwell, who played David Barlow from Coronation Street's 1960 launch until 1969, died peacefully in hospital at 89 after a short illness, his family said.
Oldham-born Rothwell was one of the ITV soap's original cast members, and the role was written with him in mind after creator Tony Warren had known him from BBC Radio's Children's Hour.
William Roache, who played his on-screen brother Ken Barlow, called Rothwell a very good actor and a delightful man, while Coronation Street said he would forever be remembered as part of the original cast.
Beyond the soap, Rothwell also appeared in Brookside, Gideon's Way and The Villains, and became familiar to generations of viewers through children's programmes Picture Box and Hickory House.
Why was a founding Coronation Street character killed off-screen two years after the actor's departure?
How did an original Coronation Street star become a beloved children's TV icon?