Former Coronation Street actor Geoffrey Hughes has died after a battle with prostate cancer.
The star, who was best-known for his role as binman Eddie Yates in the long-running ITV soap, passed away on Friday night.
The actor died "peacefully in his sleep" after a "long courageous battle" with prostate cancer, according to his family.
A Coronation Street spokesman said: "We are very sad to hear of the death of Geoffrey Hughes.
"He created a legendary and iconic character in Eddie Yates who will always be part of Coronation Street.
"Everyone connected with the programme send our sincerest condolences to his family."
Hughes also played Twiggy in television comedy The Royle Family and Onslow in Keeping Up Appearances.
Hughes was rushed to hospital for intense radiotherapy in 2010 after collapsing at his Isle of Wight home.
The actor had thought he had beaten prostate cancer the previous year, but the star and his wife Sue were given the news the disease had returned.
Hughes, who publicly supported cancer charities, first appeared in 1960s classics such as Z-Cars and The Likely Lads and was the voice of Paul McCartney in the Beatles film The Yellow Submarine.
Other roles included Vernon in Heartbeat and Uncle Keith in teen drama Skins.
Hughes also guest-starred in episodes of Doctor Who, Casualty, Boon and The Upper Hand and left Coronation Street in 1984.
In 2009 he was appointed Deputy Lord Lieutenant for the Isle of Wight, making him 'the official link between the island and royalty at formal engagements'.
http://news.sky.com/story/966261/ex-corrie-star-geoffrey-hughes-dies-aged-68
The star, who was best-known for his role as binman Eddie Yates in the long-running ITV soap, passed away on Friday night.
The actor died "peacefully in his sleep" after a "long courageous battle" with prostate cancer, according to his family.
A Coronation Street spokesman said: "We are very sad to hear of the death of Geoffrey Hughes.
"He created a legendary and iconic character in Eddie Yates who will always be part of Coronation Street.
"Everyone connected with the programme send our sincerest condolences to his family."
Hughes also played Twiggy in television comedy The Royle Family and Onslow in Keeping Up Appearances.
Hughes was rushed to hospital for intense radiotherapy in 2010 after collapsing at his Isle of Wight home.
The actor had thought he had beaten prostate cancer the previous year, but the star and his wife Sue were given the news the disease had returned.
Hughes, who publicly supported cancer charities, first appeared in 1960s classics such as Z-Cars and The Likely Lads and was the voice of Paul McCartney in the Beatles film The Yellow Submarine.
Other roles included Vernon in Heartbeat and Uncle Keith in teen drama Skins.
Hughes also guest-starred in episodes of Doctor Who, Casualty, Boon and The Upper Hand and left Coronation Street in 1984.
In 2009 he was appointed Deputy Lord Lieutenant for the Isle of Wight, making him 'the official link between the island and royalty at formal engagements'.
http://news.sky.com/story/966261/ex-corrie-star-geoffrey-hughes-dies-aged-68
