Waterloo Road actor William Rush has died at age 31, his mother, actress Debbie Rush, announced in a heartbreaking social media post that prompted an outpouring of grief from across British television.
Rush died on Dec. 17, his mother wrote in an Instagram post describing the loss as an “unimaginable grief” for their family.
“As a family, our hearts are completely broken, and there are no words that can truly capture the depth of our loss,” she said,
Debbie Rush, who is best known for her long-running role as Anna Windass on Coronation Street, also revealed that her son was an organ donor.
She said that through his death, he was able to give “hope and life to other families,” calling the decision a reflection of his kindness and generosity.
“He gave the most precious gift of all,” she wrote, adding that his love and compassion “will forever be part of his legacy.”
William Rush rose to prominence as Josh Stevenson on the BBC drama Waterloo Road, where he appeared in 168 episodes between 2009 and 2013. The role made him a familiar face to a generation of viewers and cemented his place in British television during the show’s peak years.
He later appeared in series including Grange Hill, Shameless, and Casualty, continuing to build a steady acting résumé.
Rush grew up around the entertainment industry and followed in his mother’s footsteps early. He trained at the Manchester School of Acting, and later had the opportunity to share the screen with his mother when he guest-starred on Coronation Street during her tenure on the show.
Acting was not his only creative pursuit. Rush also explored music and auditioned for The X Factor in 2016, advancing through the bootcamp stage of the competition, according to the BBC.
Following the announcement, tributes poured in from colleagues and friends.
Waterloo Road co-star Chelsee Healey commented, “Oh Debbie my heart breaks for you all. I’m so, so sorry. Rest in peace Will.” The White Lotus actor Aimee Lou Wood also shared condolences, writing, “Debbie, I am so so sorry. Sending you all my love.”
No cause of death has been disclosed at this time. William is survived by his mother Debbie, his father Andrew, his sister Poppy, and his brother Tom, as the family mourns his loss together.
Debbie Rush closed her post by asking for privacy as the family grieves. “William will always be loved, always missed, and forever in our hearts,” she wrote.
