'John was one of Corrie's greats...he brought joy to viewers for many years'

Heartfelt tributes to cobbles favourite Savident

- Charlotte McLaughlin

JOHN Savident, adored by TV fans as Coronation Street's booming-voiced butcher Fred Elliott, has died at 86.

The star's agent said the "muchloved husband and father of two" died on Wednesday, adding: "He will be sorely missed by all who knew him." Actress Sue Nicholls, 80, who played Fred's long-term love interest Audrey Roberts on the ITV soap, said yesterday: "My memories of working with you, dear John, on the street are a joy, and always will be.

"God bless you and thank you for being in my life. Much love to you and your friends and family." Fred arrived on the Corrie cobbles in 1994 and quickly became a firm favourite with fans.

Storylines involved his disastrous love life, which encompassed three marriages and several failed proposals.