Coronation Street star John Saint Ryan dies aged 72 as heartbroken family pays tribute to ‘special gentleman’
CORONATION Street star John Saint Ryan has passed away aged 72.
The English actor and horse trainer died on April 3 surrounded by his family after having a heart attack.
A statement shared on Facebook by his wife Joyce read: “I and our family want to let our friends know that John had a heart attack the evening of Thursday 3rd of April.
“We were with him at the hospital where the staff did everything possible but unfortunately he did not survive.
“We are absolutely heart broken. John wanted to aid medical research and donated his body, so there will not be a funeral.
“Later, we will arrange a celebration of his wonderful life.
“We are all fortunate to have known and loved this special ‘Gentleman’ as he has been described to me numerous times over the last couple of days.”
Saint Ryan was born in Burnley, Lancashire, in 1953 and made his acting debut in G.B.H. in 1983 on Channel 4.
He then got a small role in Emmerdale as Jameson and went on to star as Charlie Whelan in Coronation Street.
Other supporting roles in films and television series included Buffy the Vampire Slayer, General Hospital, Murder, She Wrote, Cybill and The Heidi Chronicles.
Saint Ryan also played the main antagonist Cyborg in American Cyborg: Steel Warrior.
The keen supporter of Burnley Football Club then moved to California in the early 1990s.
Saint Ryan is survived by Joyce and has three sons.