Coronation Street actor John Savident has died, his representative has said.

The 86-year-old played the butcher Fred Elliott on the ITV soap, a character best known for his booming voice and his habit of repeating himself.

A statement from his agent to the PA news agency said: “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.”

In 1994, Savident arrived on the cobbles and quickly became a fan favourite. His storylines involved his disastrous love life, including three marriages and several failed proposals.

A secret son, Ashley Peacock (Steven Arnold), also arrived on the show and the two later developed a close bond as they worked as butchers together.

Savident’s character was killed off in 2006, suffering a stroke on the day he was supposed to marry Bev Unwin (Susie Blake).

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