Corrie star reveals tragic details of ‘perfectly fit’ husband’s death in David Lloyds gym

Coronation Street star Carol Royle, 70, has opened up about the final moments of her beloved husband’s life.

Julian Spear, who was a big name in the music industry, passed away on December 9 after a tragic accident at his local David Lloyd health club. Carol announced his heart breaking death on Facebook, and later shared more details about her unexpected loss.

“I am desperately sorry to post that we lost my wonderful husband, Richard 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 wrote on Facebook on Tuesday, along with a broken heart emoji.

She shared a similar post on Julian’s own Facebook, and shared that she was already making plans to lay her husband to rest. “I shall put details here eventually – the funeral will be after Christmas,” she wrote alongside the sad announcement.

Julian’s final moments

Carol explained that Julian was “perfectly fit” in her post announcing his death. The musician seemed to have been very active in the days leading up to the tragic incident, posting on social media and attending events.

“He was the healthiest person you could meet, he ate organic wholefood. He was a keen jogger, he would run every day. He used to cycle to the shops rather than drive and he’d go for a walk after every meal,” she told the Daily Mail.

In one post on Facebook on the 6th – just three days before he died – Julian shared that he and Carol had spent the evening at a charity fundraiser for dogs, surrounded by other stars. “Lovely event tonight for the K9 Angels dog charity as a church in Chiswick with the missus, Eamonn Holmes, members of S Club 7 and various sizes of hound dogs!” he wrote alongside photos of Carol and This Morning alum Eamonn, and the adorable dogs represented by the charity.

Even after suffering through his experience at the pool, Carol explained that he remained active over the course of his final day. Julian drove himself home, and “managed to make himself a spot of lunch and then went to his office to put stamps on those Christmas cards,” Carol shared with the Daily Mail.

The actress said that she then heard him shout for her, and when she went to him he had collapsed downstairs. She added: “He complained of feeling poorly and that he’d lost his balance. He said that the room was spinning so much he didn’t want to open his eyes.”

Carol described how an ambulance took him to hospital, but he couldn’t be operated on. Unfortunately, he died the day after his initial trip to the pool.

Looking to the future

Carol shared that she and Julian first met as teenagers, and ultimately got married in 1977, sharing decades together. The couple share two children: son Taran, and daughter Talitha.

While Julian spent some of his final moments working on the family’s Christmas cards, Talitha admitted she was worried about how the holiday would go without him. “I don’t know how we are going to deal with Christmas this year. It just won’t be the same. The Christmas cards we were about to send to friends and relatives abroad are still in the same place on his desk untouched from Sunday,” she admitted.

With Julian’s funeral set to take place after Christmas, Carol forewarned her loved ones that she would be taking some time away from social media. However, she will still be on screens in the time leading up to Christmas after she returned to the cobbles for episodes airing this month.

Four days ago, she shared on Facebook: “Back in Corrie again for a number of episodes starting 11th Dec… message me if you’re interested in dates xxx” Carol returned as Anthea Deering, Joel Deering’s mother. After Joel’s murder, his parents, Anthea and Gus, arrived in Weatherfield to invite Dee-Dee Bailey to a memorial service for Joel’s birthday. They soon found out that Frankie, who Joel and Lauren Bolton welcomed, is their grandson.

In the show, Gus and Anthea contacted their solicitor to learn where they stood regarding access to their young family member. After Max allows them to spend time with the newborn baby, the couple soon disappear, leaving the people around them questioning their motives. Lauren, who is in prison, later discovers that bruises were found on Frankie’s body.