Coronation Street legend dies as the TV world pays tribute

John Stevenson, a screenwriter best known for his work in Coronation Street, has died at the age of 86.

John, who died on Thursday September 7, worked on more than 400 episodes of the ITV soap, with his final instalment airing in 2006.

The writer was part of the Corrie crew for 30 years, with some of his most known stories including Mike Baldwin’s dementia battle and that truly iconic episode with Curly Watts (Kevin Kennedy) and Raquel, who was played by National Television Award winning Sarah Lancashire.

The news was confirmed by Sean Wilson, who is best known for his role as Martin Platt in the show.

On social media, he penned: ‘Oh it is with great regret that I hear of the passing of John Stevenson- the talismanic writer of many an episode of the halcyon years of Coronation Street.’

‘John headed up a writing team who steered the series into many 20 million viewer storylines and always, but always had one eye in the comedic charms of Northern life.

‘From a little knowing wink to a rip roaring belly laugh, John was a craftsman of tv humour. I swear you could walk down any street in the UK at 7.30 and hear the whole country laughing at John’s special humour.’

Among the stars paying tribute was Daran Little, a writer who has credits in Corrie and EastEnders. He said: ‘Just heard that John Stevenson has died. Totally devastated by this.

1/2 Just heard that John Stevenson has died. Totally devastated by this. Tony Warren aside, John was the greatest writer to ever work on Coronation Street. The creator of Mike Baldwin, Alec Gilroy, Jack Duckworth, Fred Elliott, Ashley Peacock and so many others. Taught me so … pic.twitter.com/LtxYBGW2KE

‘Tony Warren aside, John was the greatest writer to ever work on Coronation Street. The creator of Mike Baldwin, Alec Gilroy, Jack Duckworth, Fred Elliott, Ashley Peacock and so many others. Taught me so much.

‘John asked me to write his obit when it was his time but I can’t find any of the notes he sent because I’ve moved house! Oh John, my dear friend, dad figure… once voted the Scriptwriters Scriptwriter by his peers. The best of the best. A true comic icon.’

Tributes also came in from other actors and TV stars including actress Sherrie Hewson and former ITV presenter Rob McLoughlin.

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