by
Stephen Chapman
Coronation Street and Love Actually actor, Wyllie Longmore has died, aged 82.
While known to millions for his acting roles, including Dr McKinnon in Coronation Street and as an advisor to the Prime Minister (Hugh Grant) in Love Actually, he was a passionate supporter of young up-coming acting talent.
He was the founding Head of Acting at The Arden drama school in Manchester. This was set up in association with The Royal Exchange Theatre.
Today, they both paid tribute to him:
We’re deeply saddened to hear that the wonderful Wyllie Longmore has passed away.
A fiercely passionate theatre maker, incredible actor & inspiring teacher, he made a huge difference. We’ll miss him.
Our thoughts & love are with his family & friends. pic.twitter.com/P0FLkZcpMo
— Royal Exchange Theatre (@rxtheatre) January 6, 2023
We are saddened to hear of the passing of Wyllie Longmore who was the founding Head of Acting at The Arden and went on to become an inspirational Head of School. — The Arden (@ArdenSchool) January 5, 2023
The Arden added:
“Wyllie established a set of values and a legacy that continues to this day and inspired generations of young actors. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends at this time.”
Born in Jamaica, he moved to England in 1961, training at the Rose Bruford College of Speech and Drama. He would later move to Manchester and take up his first soap role on Coronation Street. He also appeared in Between The Lines, The Bill, Casualty, Blue Murder and Cold Feet.
Tributes have poured in from across the acting community.
Sad to hear the news of the passing of Wyllie Longmore.
There’s far too much to put into one tweet alone.
Mentor to many, founder of Arden School of Theatre and my friend.
Rest in Power Wyllie x pic.twitter.com/7XkBkoWRd3
— Seaghán Cernow (@Scernow) January 5, 2023
So incredibly saddened to hear that Wyllie Longmore has passed away. A beautiful beautiful human being. A gentle man loved by so many of us who had the privilege to know & learn from him. All my love & good wishes to his family. I’m so sorry. Rest well sir. #wyllielongmore pic.twitter.com/JaqayDl0Le
— Shaun Dooley (@shaundooley) January 5, 2023
We are saddened to hear of the passing of Wyllie Longmore. One of our industry’s greats. A incredible talent and human. Our thoughts are with his loved ones. Manchester has lost one of the greats. #WyllieLongmore pic.twitter.com/1TbmIlAQqp — Art with Heart (@artwith_heart) January 6, 2023
We’re incredibly sad to hear of the passing of our lovely patron Wyllie Longmore. A gentle and formidable man who had a huge impact on theatre training in the region. Go well Wyllie, you’ll be greatly missed — pic.twitter.com/BL6uFCVH4S
— North West Drama (@nwdrama) January 6, 2023
His daughter confirmed on social media that he died peacefully.
She wrote: “He had been living with cancer, but passed away peacefully with my mum by his side.”
