William Russell dead: Doctor Who legend who starred in Coronation Street & The Great Escape dies aged 99
DOCTOR Who legend William Russell has sadly died aged 99 as emotional tributes pour in.
The icon, best known for playing school teacher Ian Chesterton in the first ever Doctor Who series, passed away yesterday.
Russell first featured in An Unearthly Child, the first ever Doctor Who story, alongside William Hartnell who played the First Doctor.
He starred with Jacqueline Hill as Barbara Wright, Carole Ann Ford as Susan Foreman and later Maureen O’Brien as Vicki.
The beloved actor appeared in nearly every episode of the first two Doctor Who seasons.
They would pave the way to one of the nation’s favourite franchises.
After exiting the popular show in 1965, Russell went on to narrate Doctor Who audio stories.
He was later awarded with a Guinnness World Record for the longest gap between TV appearances when he reprised his role as Ian in Jodie Whittaker’s final episode, The Power of the Doctor, much to fans’ delight.
Russell also featured in the classic The Great Escape, as well as the 1978 Superman movie and as Ted Sullivan in Coronation Street.
No cause of death has been confirmed.
He leaves behind his wife Etheline, who he tied the knot with in 1984, and their son Alfred – who has taken after his father and starred as Dean Thomas in the Harry Potter films.
The actor is also survived by children from his first marriage, Vanessa, Laetitia and Robert, and four grandchildren.
HEARTFELT TRIBUTES
Tributes have poured in from devastated fans across social media.
Doctor Who star Nicole Bryant wrote: “What sad news to say farewell to William Russell
“What a wonderful man with a delightful family an extraordinary life & career.”
Another shared: “Raising a glass to William Russell, who has left us just a few months shy of his 100th birthday.
“Already a star when he became a crucial part of Doctor Who’s genesis, his long and remarkable career embraced everything from Shakespeare to Blackadder. A fine actor and a lovely man.”
A third heartbroken fan penned: “William Russell what a wonderful wonderful man he was.
“He appeared in the very first episode and came back in Power of the Doctor (Oh how we all cried when he appeared).
“He was genuinely one of the nicest, sweetest, kindest man you could meet. We’ve lost a Dr Who giant.”
“Rip to a fantastic man who brought us the world of Doctor who!,” wrote someone else.
“Oh no that’s very sad news to hear. One of the first of us to step through those magical blue box doors into wonder and adventure. Was wonderful to see him in Power of the Doctor,” agreed another fan.