Former Coronation Street John Saint Ryan has died suddenly, aged 72, after suffering a heart attack.
The actor, who was known for playing lorry driver Charlie Whelan in the soap between 1993 to 1994, died on Thursday, 3 April, surrounding by his family, his wife Joyce said.
In a post on Facebook, his Joyce wrote: “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.”
John was born in Burnley, Lancashire in 1953 and spent most of his earlier life in the world of Martial Arts, both as a fighter and a teacher before he became an actor.
As long-distance lorry driver Charlie Whelan in Corrie, he began a relationship with Rovers Return landlady Bet Gilroy, played by Julie Goodyear, during her separation from husband Alec Gilroy, played by Roy Barraclough.
After his 10-month stint on the show, the actor then moved to California where he landed various supporting roles including in the hit series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Murder She Wrote and The Heidi Chronicles.
John, a horse trainer and equestrian, also owned his own ranch in Inyokern California, were he raised boarded and sold horses.
His speciality was doma vaquera style of western riding, a Spanish form of competitive Western riding, winning multiple national and international titles in the sport. He also wrote books and produced videos on the doma vaquera style.
