Tributes paid to Coronation Street actor Peter Armitage

Tributes have been paid to Coronation Street actor Peter Armitage, who played Bill Webster after he passed away this week, aged 78.

The BBC reports that no cause of death has been given, although four years ago Mr Armitage revealed he was in remission from bowel cancer.

Mr Armitage's death was announced on Twitter by former co-star Charlie Lawson, who plays Jim McDonald.

"It's with great sadness, that I've to tell you my great old friend Pete Armitage has died. RIP mate," he wrote.

These thought were echoed by other cast members, including Simon Gregson (Steve McDonald) and Jane Danson (Leanne Battersby)."Peter was a much respected and much loved member of the Coronation Street family," an ITV spokesperson told the BBC. "Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this sad time."

Mr Armitage first featured in Coronation Street in 1984 for a period of six months, before returning to the role of Bill Webster between 1995 to 1997 and 2006 to 2011.

He also played parts in the 1988 TV series Jack the Ripper and the 1995 series Hearts and Minds.

In 2014, he spoke about beating bowel cancer, telling The Mirror he was diagnosed soon after his character departed the soap.

"I first noticed a problem last May when I was down in Perpignan in France for my cousin's 80th birthday party," he said. I noticed a little bleeding in a bowel movement, so when I got home about 10 days later I went to my doctor. They say smoking and bad diet could have links to bowel cancer, but I'm normally a fit and healthy sort of bloke."

The actor also appeared in a 1980s Yellow Pages commercial, as a father buying a bicycle for his son.

He is survived by his two children.

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Peter Armitage beats cancer and wants Corrie return

On Coronation Street, Kevin's dad Bill Webster had a heart attack last year.  In real life, the actor who played Bill, Peter Armitage has battled cancer and now wants to get back to work on the Street.

The Mirror reports that Peter Armitagewas diagnosed with bowel cancer last year.  He says that he's currently in remission and will have check-ups every six months for the next five years.

He says: "It’s 30 years since I first started on the cobbles and I’ve always come in and out. Now Michael le Vell has been cleared, Kevin is due back on the cobbles in the spring and they’ve said Bill is fine.

"I’d like to go back again, too, if there’s a storyline for me."

I'd love to see Bill back on the Street - as long as he doesn't bring the dreadful Aunty Pam with him.

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Bill Webster to return to Corrie

Bill is set to return to Corrie with Auntie Pam in September, according to The Mirror. The couple's reason for being off screen will be that they have been travelling, and have now returned to marry. Although Pam will apparently ban Kevin from the wedding, which causes Bill to suffer a heart attack.

I'm looking forward to the pair returning, it was a bad decision to axe them in the first place, with Auntie Pam returning, we will have another link back to Molly.

Bill Webster axed from Coronation Street

Peter Armitage, who plays Bill Webster in Corrie, has been axed, says the News of the World. The paper says that Corrie producer Phil Collinson sees no future for the character and he's getting rid of him.

A Corrie source told the paper: "Collinson told him that there was no future for him playing Kevin Webster's dad and that the day's scenes would be his last. Peter returned to the green room to tell cast and crew, `Well that's me... I'm finished.' And when he returned next day to clear his dressing room he found his name plate had already been removed from the door. The cast and crew were shocked as Peter is a popular guy. But that was it."

I know that Bill hasn't been much used in Corrie for a while, but he's always been a good, solid character that I'll be sad to see leave.  And speaking of good, solid characters, why isn't Gail's dad, Ted Page, returning? 

Bill Webster's 'tache - where's it gone?

Is it me needing new specs in my old age, or has Bill Webster's 'tache gone a-missing? I couldn't see it anywhere on last night's Coronation Street.

At first I thought it might be a trick of the light but I'm pretty sure that his top lip was indeed - gulp - naked.

I liked Bill's 'tache a lot, so I hope he grows it back. In fact, Bill's one of my favourite characters on Corrie and I wish we'd see more of him.

Peter Armitage to launch fund-raising day

Peter Armitage, who plays Coronation Street's Bill Webster, will launch a fund-raising fun day to help save the life of Pendle mum Julie Patefield. Peter will open the family event in the ambulance hall, Colne, on Saturday 21st February and it'll run from 2 p.m. to 5-30 p.m.

You can find out more at: http://www.helpjulie.co.uk/