Famous actor William Rush dies aged 31

PARIS: William Rush, best known for his role as Josh Stevenson in the BBC One drama Waterloo Road, has died at the age of 31, his family has announced.

Rush appeared in 168 episodes of the show between 2009 and 2013. He also had roles as a child actor in Grange Hill and Shameless, and later appeared in Casualty and Vera.

His mother, former Coronation Street actress Debbie Rush, confirmed his death on Instagram, saying, “As a family, our hearts are completely broken.” The cause of death has not been disclosed.

William Edward Rush was born on 6 July 1994 in Bury, Greater Manchester. As a child, he also appeared in Drop Dead Gorgeous and The Street, showcasing his talent from an early age.

In 2016, he competed on The X Factor UK, reaching the Six-Chair Challenge stage. He was the son of actress Debbie Rush and had two siblings, including sister Poppy Rush, also an actress and singer.

Active in acting from 2004 to 2017, Rush was remembered by family and co-stars as kind and warm-hearted.

His mother revealed he had been an organ donor, a final act of generosity that “gave hope and life to other families.”