Devastated Debbie Rush reacts to shocked Corrie cast offering their condolences as Catherine Tyldesley and Tina O’Brien lead stars rallying round her after her son’s death

Debbie Rush has shared her reaction to the Coronation Street cast offering their condolences following the death of her son on Wednesday.

The actress, who plays Anna Windass in the series, revealed that her son William passed away on Wednesday, just a week before Christmas, at the age of 31.

In an emotional post shared on Instagram, Debbie said she and her family were ‘completely devastated’ by the news and were experiencing ‘unimaginable pain’ following his death.

The post sparked a flood of praise from many of Debbie’s former Corrie co-stars; the star responded to one from Catherine Tyldesley, saying they were ‘devastated’ by William’s death.

Catherine commented: ‘Oh my god, I’m so sorry for you all. I am really sad. I’m sending so much love and strength.

Debbie replied: ‘Thanks Cath. We are devastated.’

The actress, who played Anna Windass in the series, revealed that her son William passed away on Wednesday, aged 31, just a week before Christmas (filmed in 2018)

Angela Griffin wrote: ‘Debbie, my heart breaks for you and your whole family. I remember him with such fondness. So sad. Sending you all the love and light possible.’

Jack P Shepherd wrote: ‘So awful reading this Debbie. Thinking of you all, I receive devastating news.’

Tina O’Brien shared: ‘Sending you so much love, thinking of you all.’

Sacha Parkinson wrote: ‘I’m so sorry for you all Debbie, this is such bad news and I can’t imagine the pain. Sending you all love and strength.’

Rebecca Ryan, who starred alongside William in Waterloo Road, commented: ‘Debbie, I’m so sorry to hear that!! I’m sending you all my love. It was such a magnificent light. Thinking of you and your beautiful family.’

Brooke Vincent wrote: ‘Oh Debbie. I am so sorry for your loss!! Sending lots of love to you all.’

Sally Carman said: ‘I’m so very sorry Debbie. ‘Thinking of you all and sending so much love.’

Joe Duttine shared: ‘Oh my god. ‘I’m so sorry to read this, I send my love to you and your family.’

The post sparked a shower of praise from many of Debbie’s Corrie co-stars; the star responded to one from Catherine Tyldesley, saying they were ‘devastated’ by William’s death.

Sally Ann Matthews wrote: ‘I can’t imagine your loss. What a close, loving family. Your love for each other and your pride in your family was clear.

‘As a mother, I wish I could find the words to make this easier. Sending love to you all.’

Also among the stars to offer their condolences was Aimee Lou Wood, who wrote: ‘Debbie, I’m so sorry. I’m sending you all my love.’

Debbie replied: ‘Thank you honey.’

William found fame on the big screen playing schoolboy Josh Stevenson in BBC One’s Waterloo Road between 2009 and 2013. At the same time, Vera starred in Casualty and had a long-running role as Ali Duncan in Grange Hill from 2005 to 2007.

She followed in her mother’s footsteps by appearing in an episode of Corrie in 2014.

William later appeared on The X Factor in 2016 when he was 21 years old. She performed a version of Zara Larsson’s song Lush Life and made it through to the third of four elimination stages.

Sharing her son’s tragic death on Instagram, Debbie wrote: ‘Our beautiful son William passed away on December 17th. As a family, our hearts are completely broken and there are no words that can truly describe the depth of our loss.

‘Even in our darkest hour, William gave the most precious gift. As an organ donor, he gave hope and life to other families by thinking of others until the end. His kindness and love will forever be a part of his legacy.

‘We ask that our privacy be respected as we recover from this unimaginable pain. William will always be loved, always missed and forever in our hearts.’

Debbie joined the long-running series in 2008 as Anna Windass. Her most memorable storyline came in 2018, when Anna stabbed to death villain Pat Phelan, played by Connor McIntyre.

William’s sister Poppy is also an actress and has appeared in many episodes of Coronation Street, just like her brother and mother.

In an emotional post shared on Instagram, Debbie said she and her family were ‘completely devastated’ by the news and were experiencing ‘unimaginable pain’ following his death.

Debbie married her husband Andrew in 1989 and the couple have three children, Poppy, William and Tom.

William first started acting after playing the Artful Dodger in a production of Oliver at his school, Bamford Academy. He also described the school’s principal, Cherie Rivero, as his inspiration for becoming an actor.

‘If it wasn’t for this school, I wouldn’t be acting,’ he said in a 2013 interview. ‘Miss Rivero made me do the play and that’s what influenced me in what I do now.

‘Without him, I wouldn’t have the career I have now.’

William attended the Manchester School of Acting before landing his first on-screen role in BBC’s Shameless in 2007.

She later played Ali Duncan in seven episodes of Grange Hill from 2005 to 2007, but her best-known role came in 2009 when she starred in Waterloo Road.

William played the role of Josh Stevenson, son of English teacher Tom Clarkson, for 70 episodes.