From Newsgroup: rec.arts.tv


Alan Rothwell was one of the oringal actors in the UK soap opera
"Coronation Street" when it started in 1960, where he played 'David
Barlow', the brother of the character 'Ken Barlow'. The 'Ken Barlow'
character was played by William Roache ... who is still playing the
same character today! William Roache actually holds the Guinness World
Record for "longest-serving TV actor in a continuous role".



Original Coronation Street cast member dies aged 89
---------------------------------------------------
Veteran actor Alan Rothwell, best known for playing David Barlow
in the original cast of ITV soap Coronation Street, has died aged
89 after a short illness.

Born in Oldham, he starred in the programme from its inception in
1960 until 1969, and later appeared in TV series such as Gideon's
Way, The Villains and Brookside.

Rothwell's family confirmed the actor "died peacefully in
hospital" earlier.

"Beyond his professional achievements, he was a loving husband,
father, grandfather and uncle," the actor's family said in a
tribute. "He will be fondly remembered and deeply missed."

Rothwell also starred in the Channel 4 soap Brookside as Nicholas
Black in the 1980s and became a familiar face to generations of
viewers as the presenter of the long-running children's television
programmes Picture Box and Hickory House.

Rothwell's role in Coronation Street had been written with him in
mind - as the creator Tony Warren had worked with him during their
childhoods on BBC Radio's Children's Hour.

He was a cast member of the soap for nine years - playing the
brother of Ken Barlow, played by William Roache.

Roache paid tribute to the actor, saying: "I am very sorry to hear
of Alan's passing.

"He and I worked together on the very first episodes of Coronation
Street, which was such a wonderful time, I got to know him well
over the years, he was a very good actor and a delightful man.

"I send my thoughts and condolences to his family."

A spokesperson for Coronation Street said: "We're very sorry to
hear of Alan Rothwell's passing and extend our sincerest
condolences to his family at this very sad time."

He created a "memorable character in David Barlow and will forever
be remembered as one of the original cast members", they added.


<https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwy234lp8rzo>




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