Corrie icon John Savident health woes- major heart surgery to surviving stabbing
John Savident, known for playing Fred Elliott in Coronation Street, .
While playing butcher Fred on the ITV soap, Savident became a fan favourite thanks to his booming voice, but away from the screen, Savident battled heart issues, something he spoke openly about.
News of the soap icon’s death was confirmed on Thursday, with a statement from his agent reading: “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.”
Meanwhile, ITV's Iain MacLeod added: “Everyone at Coronation Street is deeply saddened to learn of John Savident’s death. As Fred Elliott, John firmly established himself in the pantheon of Coronation Street greats. His peerless comic timing, combined with a deep pathos arising from his outstanding dramatic skill, made Fred an unforgettable, iconic character that provided great joy to viewers for many years. On behalf of everyone here, I would like to extend condolences to John’s family and close friends at this sad time.”
In 1994, Savident arrived on the cobbles and quickly became a hit with viewers. His storylines involved his disastrous love life, including three marriages and several failed proposals.
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While playing butcher Fred on the ITV soap, Savident became a fan favourite thanks to his booming voice (Unknown)Savident’s character was killed off in 2006, suffering a stroke on the day he was supposed to marry Bev Unwin, played by Susie Blake. That same year, the actor confirmed he was waiting for heart surgery, saying at the time: “Next year I am having a heart operation. I am having a new valve in. I am sick of the one I have got." Savident was also diagnosed with diabetes and a hip replacement in later years.
Speaking shortly after undergoing heart surgery in 2007, the star confirmed his diabetes diagnosis while also saying his three-month recovery period had been intense.
Savident explained to : “Three months' convalescence is quite enough. Because I've not been onstage for such a long time that one forgets the energy and drive and dynamism required to sustain things. So I found myself getting very tired very quickly, and there was one performance that was very bad, which I found really quite frightening. I'm on top of it now, but now I've also been diagnosed with diabetes."
News of the soap icon’s death was confirmed on Thursday (ITV)Four years later, in 2011, Savident also confirmed he’d had a new hip fitted. Speaking to , the veteran actor confessed his various operations had slowed him down somewhat, but spoke of his excitement over a Shakespeare role he had accepted. “Now, in what I call the tea-time of my career, I’ve turned down quite a bit of work because I had a heart operation and a new hip,” Savident explained. “But working on this script for Shakespeare’s The Dream has been an absolute pleasure. I’ll be using the text wherever possible set to Mendelsshon’s score and as it’s mainly the fairy scenes it’ll be delightful.”
After news of Savident's passing broke, tributes quickly poured in from fans and stars of the entertainment industry. Screenwriter Daran Little said: "Oh darling John Savident. So many happy memories forever in my heart. Rest in peace my friend, Big D xx," while sharing a snap of the pair.
One fan took to X, formerly known as Twitter, writing: "Gawd bless you John Savident, I SAY God bless you. One of Corrie's finest, truly unforgettable classic characters and a marvellous actor." Another penned: "Oh, no! John Savident, known for playing Fred Elliott in Coronation Street, has died aged 86. What a legend! I say, I say!"
"Absolutely heartbroken, thank you for the legendary Fred Elliott he will always be the best Coronation Street character of all time," said a third. Meanwhile, another typed: "Coronation Street's Fred Elliott dies aged 86. This makes me very sad, I say, very sad." One Coronation Street fan page penned: "Saddened to hear of the passing of John Savident who played #Corrie’s eccentric butcher, Fred Elliott. Fred was the epitome of a #ClassicCorrie character and will be remembered for years to come, I say years to come. RIP John."
While John maintained a low profile after leaving the soap, he continued to work and appeared in the pantomime Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs as the henchman, alongside Corrie co-star Suranne Jones and the likes of Justin Moorhouse and Warwick Davis. But his last credit saw him take on the role of Gary Brennan in the 2019 production of The Life and Times of Mim Stewart. Eight years prior, he played Monsieur Firmin in The Phantom of the Opera at The Royal Albert Hall.
In 2002, a former rent boy who violently attacked Savident after meeting in Manchester's gay village was jailed for seven years. Savident met Michael Smith, from Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, at a bar on Canal Street before later stabbing him in the neck. Initially, reporting restrictions were in place until his sentencing on December 10, 2002.
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Manchester Crown Court heard that Smith had told Savident he was a drama student when they met at Napoleon's when Savident was taking part in an appearance for World Aids Day in November 2000. The pair later went back to Savident's flat and spent hours talking with one another before things turned sinister.
Savident told the court that he had gone into his bedroom to charge his phone before he was shoved facedown onto his bed and held at knifepoint by Smith. The shaken actor said: "I suddenly felt somebody come up behind me and whizz me round so I was face down on the bed and then I felt a prick on my throat. He said something like 'I bet you have never met a schizo before', which was really quite frightening."
During the frightening attack, Savident lost two pints of blood and his neck was pierced twice. Smith, who had consumed beer and half a litre of vodka later demanded the keys to Savident's Morgan classic sports car. Despite thinking he was going to die, Savident made a heartbreaking plea to the emergency response operator to keep the news quiet.
He pleaded: "I am John Savident. I play Fred Elliott in Coronation Street."
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