Former Corrie guest star Anthony Valentine dies at 76

Former Corrie star Anthony Valentine has passed away at the age of 76. He had been battling Parkinson's disease for some time.

While best known for his roles in Colditz and Raffles, Corrie viewers might remember him as Simon Barlow's maternal grandfather George Wilson between 2009 and 2010.

He appeared in 36 episodes. George had been estranged from his daughter Lucy and didn't know of Simon's existence and was keen to make up for those lost years.

I enjoyed this storyline as it put a twist to Peter's alcoholism when George gave him and Leanne a loan to open a bar, much to Ken's protests. It also introduced a new rival for Ken as they battled to be the best granddad to Simon. Ken dressing up as Santa was another highlight as he tried to get closer to Simon.

His last appearance was in March 2010 when Simon did a runner as he realised that George and his wife Eve were attempting to take Simon with them to Berkshire and away from the Barlows. Peter banished him from any contact with Simon.

On a side note, I believe there was a plot to have George and Blanche romantically involved but unfortunately Maggie Jones' death prevented this. It would have been a great dynamic!

For the BBC's obituary on Anthony Valentine, click here.

And to read a character synopsis of George Wilson on Corriepedia, click here.

Deirdre: A Life on Coronation Street - official ITV tribute to a soap icon. Available here.

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Grandad George - is he coming back?

It's in all the soap previews this week. I'm leaping ahead a bit, because of course we're a week behind with the storylines after the tragic events in Cumbria. But it's pretty clear that one way or another, Underworld will be requiring a new home. Nick approaches Peter about renting "Turner's" from him, and after Peter refuses, Leanne goes behind his back, and tells Nick that Grandad George is willing to do a deal with him.

I'm so hoping that this means we'll see George and Eve again in the flesh so to speak, long black coats and all, and that they'll have a really juicy storyline.

Unfortunately, it also seems to signal the beginning of trouble for Peter and Leanne.

Has Grandad George gone soft?

I'm on tenterhooks here. What the 'eck's going on?

In last night's episode we had Tina saying she didn't want to see either of Gail's two faces at Joe's funeral. Now we've seen George's second face (I'm hoping he has at least three) and from where I'm sitting it's not a pretty sight. Legal action dropped? Grovelling apologies? He can see that Simon belongs with the Barlows? No, no, no. This won't do at all. Anthony Valentine has been such a star turn, I think it's going to be a complete and utter waste if he backs off now. Look at those flinty little eyes, and that shifty half-smile, and tell me I'm wrong.

I'm clinging on to the hope that this is a bluff, and that George has still got some evil plan secreted somewhere up the sleeve of that creepy black coat.

Grandad George in Corrie accident on set

Anthony Valentine, who plays Simon Barlow's other grandad, was left badly shaken after he slipped and hit his head as he walked off the set.

The Mirror reports that Corrie production crew ran to help him but fortunately he wasn't seriously hurt. A Street source told the paper: "A nurse was there quickly but, thankfully, Anthony didn't need to go to hospital. He looked pretty badly shaken by it all but he was eventually ok to carry on working."

Blanche gets an early Valentine

Rita and Emily both got to have romances this year, with Rita getting the bling as well. Next, Blanche is going to get a fancy man in the guise of actor Anthony Valentine. He's going to play little Simon's maternal grandfather, George Richards, according to The Sun.

He's going to visit his grandson, ruffle Ken's feathers by spoiling the little lad and Blanche is going to set her cap at him. I'd be a bit wary of that, love, both Emily's and Rita's paramours died on them! Anthony will be familiar to you. He was the rake-about-town, Raffles, a brutal SS henchmen on Colditz and later, a psychopath in Callan.