Coronation Street actor Duggie Brown dies aged 82

Coronation Street and Last of the Summer Wine actor Duggie Brown has passed away at the age of eighty-two.

Brown, who was born in Rotherham, died this morning with his wife by his side, his manager Lee Morgan has just confirmed.

The statement read: “It is with a heavy heart I share the news the very talented comedian and actor Duggie Brown passed away this morning with his wife Jackie by his side.

“What an honour it was to work with Duggie. A born entertainer who loved his profession. RIP Duggie Brown. We love and salute you.”

Brown was the brother of Coronation Street actress Lynne Perrie, who played Ivy Tilsley for fifteen years before her death in 2006.

In a career spanning over five decades, Brown starred in a number of dramas, comedies and documentaries, including All Creatures Great and Small, Heartbeat, Hotel Babylon, EastEnders, Holby City, The Glamour Girls, The Good Old Days and House of Cards.

British comic Tommy Cannon paid tribute to Brown, writing on Twitter: “Really sad to hear about the passing of Duggie Brown, Rest in peace pal, what a funny funny man – thinking of all your friends and family.”

Actor Neil Hurst added that it was a ‘sad day’, tweeting: “Beyond sad to hear that my ol’ pal Duggie Brown has passed away.

“One of my very first telly jobs was with Duggie back in 1997 and I was lucky to appear in so many shows with him since. Genuinely one of the nicest and funniest guys in the business.”

A cause of death is yet to be announced.