Whatever happened to… Bill Ward?

In the second of a series of guest blog posts from Michael Smith, we take a look back at some of the ex-Coronation Street actors to see where life has taken them since they left the cobbles.

Bill Ward swaggered onto our screens in 2003, as bad-boy builder and womaniser, Charlie Stubbs.

During his time on the Street, he led the ever impressionable Jason Grimshaw astray, psychologically tormented barmaid Shelly Unwin, had affairs with Maria and Tracy, and then came back to sleep with Shelly one last time to father her baby.

Man-eater Tracy Barlow has ruined the lives of many Weatherfield men in her decade long stint on the show, but it’s only our boy Charlie who paid the ultimate price: with his life. 

So what has become of Bill Ward’s career since his turbulent  Weatherfield days?

Ward’s first role post-Corrie saw him follow in the footsteps of another character who met an early grave on the street, Richard Hillman, as he made a guest appearance in ITV’s Midsomer Murders. This was one of a number of television appearances on British staples that include Doctors, Casualty, Heartbeat and Cold Blood.

Ward also played Rufus in the television dramatisation of Robin Hood. Again, the role was not completely removed from the sinister Charlie Stubbs, as he took the role of a tax collector - everyone’s favourite profession!

What you might not know is that it’s not just our classic British dramas where Ward has been ubiquitous in his time after the Street. He’s also been a permanent fixture on the stage.

Ward’s evil deeds in the Street made him a natural fit for the role of Simba’s evil uncle Scar in the West End musical version of The Lion King. He also played Lancelot in the Monty Python musical Spamalot and Sam Phillips in Million Dollar Quartet. 

If you want to see Charlie now, then your best bet is a trip to see the Spice Girls’ musical Viva Forever! Ward has been cast playing TV talent show judge Johnny. The character has an uncanny resemblance to Simon Cowell.   

Ward’s also a man of many talents. He holds a degree in History from Bristol University and is a keen photographer. In fact, you can currently see an exhibition of his photography at a gallery in Didsbury.

See also: Whatever happened to Brian Capron?

 
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