Coronation Street’s Carol Royle has confirmed her husband has died following a swimming accident.
The actress, who portrays Anthea Deering in the ITV soap, revealed on her Facebook that her husband Julian Spear died following an accident in a swimming pool.
She wrote in the message: ‘I am desperately sorry to post that we lost my wonderful husband, Julian Spear, today, 9th December. Perfectly fit man but jumped into a freezing outdoor pool which he assumed was heated as per usual yesterday, and he developed a sudden massive brain haemorrhage – our hearts are aching.’
She added: ‘Married 47 years – known each other 56. Forgive me if I am not on Facebook very much for a while.’
Carol’s partner Julian was a musician and the son of actor Bernard Spear, who starred in chitty Chitty Bang Bang.
Julian worked alongside the likes of Elton John, Tears for Fears and Bon Jovi while working as Head of Promotions for Phonogram.
In 2016, he launched his own company called Julian Spear PR. Most recently, he worked alongside Sheryl Crow and Gary Clark Junior.
Carol, who is 70, has also appeared in shows such as Blake’s 7, Endeavour and Blackeyes.
Her Coronation Street character is the mother of Joel Deering (Calum Lill), who was murdered by his victim Lauren Bolton (Cait Fitton) earlier this year.
Following Lauren’s arrest, Anthea and Joel’s dad Gus have returned to Weatherfield, which is causing problems for Max (Paddy Bever) and Dee-Dee (Channique Sterling-Brown).
As grandparents to Lauren’s son Frankie, Anthea and Gus believe they have rights when it comes to custody of the baby.
‘Both Gus and Anthea are a massive threat to Lauren because now that Joel isn’t around, they will do anything in their power to bring Lauren down,’ actress Cait Fitton previously said.
‘I think this is where we will see another side to Lauren, because it’s a natural motherly instinct, and she’ll be in full mother mode as well as survival mode, but not just for herself anymore, but her son.’
