Coronation Street creator Tony Warren has passed away at the age of 79. The legendary writer died last night (March 1) surrounded by his friends after a short illness.
In a statement, ITV said: "It is with great sadness that Coronation Street confirms legendary creator and acclaimed writer Tony Warren MBE passed away peacefully last night (March 1) surrounded by his loving friends, aged 79, after a short illness."
Warren was born Anthony McVay in Pendlebury, near Manchester, and adopted Warren as a stage name in his early acting career, which began in childhood.
He devised the idea for the Weatherfield soap at the age of 24, at the very beginning of his writing career, and was a regular visitor to the soap's set in Trafford, Greater Manchester.
Ken Barlow actor William Roache, who had worked with Warren since Coronation Street's first episode on December 9 1960, said he was the "father" of the soap.
"When I first met Tony I couldn't quite believe he'd created and written Coronation Street because he was no more than a young boy," he said.
"It was his boyish energy even recently when I saw him again that I'll remember. I loved Tony's energy. He was the father of Coronation Street and he gave us all so much.
"He will be so desperately missed because of who he was and what he did. We owe him so much."
Roache's co-star Helen Worth, who plays Gail McIntyre, had worked with Warren for 42 years. "Tony was a genius of our time, the dearest, funniest and most inspirational man of his generation," she said.
"He brought real life into our homes for us all to relate to and enjoy. He will, of course, live on forever through Coronation Street."
The soap's executive producer, Kieran Roberts, added: "Tony Warren the writer was a pioneer, a revolutionary, a true genius, a giant of British television.
"He will rightly be remembered around the world as the creator of Coronation Street but those of us lucky enough to have worked on his wonderful show and to have known him will also remember the man: the razor-sharp intelligence, the brilliant, often mischievous sense of humour, the courage and conviction, the passion for people, the immense generosity of spirit and capacity for love."
