Husband of Coronation Street star Carol Royle dies in swimming accident

Coronation Street actress Carol Royle says her 'heart is aching' following the death of her husband of almost five decades.

The actress, who plays Anthea Deering in the ITV soap, revealed on social media that her husband Julian Spear died of a sudden brain haemorrhage on Monday, 9 December, after jumping into a freezing swimming pool.

In a statement the 70-year-old said "I am desperately sorry to post that we lost my wonderful husband, Julian Spear on 9th December.

"Perfectly fit man but jumped into a freezing pool which he assumed was heated as per usual yesterday, and he developed a sudden massive brain haemorrhage - our hearts are aching."

Carol, who is originally from Blackpool, Lancashire, joined the cobbles in 2024 having previously starred in multiple episodes of Casualty, Doctors and The Bill.

Her partner Julian, who she shared two children with, was a musician and the son of actor Bernard Spear, who starred in the Dick Van Dyke classic Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

As Head of Promotions for music company Phonogram, Julian worked alongside the likes of Elton John, Tears for Fears and Bon Jovi during his career.

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