William Rush, famed for playing beloved gay Waterloo Road character, dies aged 31
William Rush (R) played Josh Stevenson (L) on BBC show Waterloo Road. (BBC/Getty)
William Rush (R) played Josh Stevenson (L) on BBC show Waterloo Road. (BBC/Getty)
Actor William Rush, who played gay schoolboy Josh Stevenson in BBC soap Waterloo Road, has died aged 31, his mother has announced.
Actress Debbie Rush, who is best known for playing Anna Windass on ITV soap Coronation Street, announced the death of her son on Instagram earlier today (18 December).
“Our beautiful baby boy, William, passed away on 17th December. As a family, our hearts are completely broken, and there are no words that can truly capture the depth of our loss,” she wrote.
“Even in our darkest moment, William gave the most precious gift of all. Through being an organ donor, he has given hope and life to other families, thinking of others right to the very end. His kindness and love will forever be part of his legacy.”
Rush asked for her family’s privacy to be respected while they “navigate this unimaginable grief”.
“William will always be loved, always missed, and forever in our hearts,” she wrote, rounding off with the hashtag “#BeKind”. The cause of his death has not been shared publicly.
William Rush was best known for playing Josh Stevenson in Waterloo Road in series five through eight between 2009 and 2013, appearing in 69 episodes in total.
The young character was involved in a powerful storyline in which he realised that he is gay, before entering into a relationship with fellow gay student, Nate Gurney (played by Scott Haining).
Josh also developed an addiction to cannabis, and was later diagnosed with schizophrenia.
Rush also appeared in other British soaps and dramas including Coronation Street, Grange Hill, Casualty, and Vera. He appeared in an episode of adored British comedy drama, Shameless, and his last known role was in ABC drama Friday On My Mind in 2017.
A number of British stars have shared their condolences with Debbie Rush following her son’s death, with fellow Coronation Street star Shobna Gulati commenting: “Sending you all the love, I’m so sorry and my deepest sympathies.”
“Sending you so much love, thinking of you all,” Added Corrie’s Tina O’Brien.
“Terrible to read that Debbie. Devastating news. thinking of you all,” added Celebrity Big Brother winner Jack P Shepherd, while legendary Coronation Street actress Sally Dynevor wrote: “Oh Debbie I’m so shocked to hear this news. Sending you so much love. What a beautiful boy he was.”
On social media, Rush was praised for his handling of Josh and the character’s coming out story.
“Idk if any other British gays were obsessed with Waterloo Road as a teenager but rly sad to hear William Rush who played Josh Stevenson has died,” wrote journalist George Griffiths.
“Can still remember how seen Josh’s coming out story made me feel when I was like 14 and quite scared. Sending love to his family.”
