Coronation Street star Peter Baldwin dies aged 82

Former Coronation Street actor Peter Baldwin has died at the age of 82 following a short illness, the TV show said on Friday (23 October). The father-of-two, who passed away on Thursday night, was best known for his 21-year-stint playing Derek Wilton in the popular soap opera.

"It is with great sadness we've learned respected former Coronation Street actor Peter Baldwin has died," a statement on the show's website read. "Peter passed away at his home in north London last night after a short illness. We send our sincere condolences to his family and friends at this sad time."

Baldwin joined the show in 1976, marrying Mavis Riley, played by Thelma Barlow, in 1988. He was written out of the show in 1997 when he had a heart attack after arguing with a driver in a road rage incident.

His former colleagues and fellow actors paid tribute to him on Friday. Actor Stuart Wolfenden tweeted: "Sad to hear the news Peter Baldwin has passed. Lovely man! Derek Wilton one of the Great Corrie Characters!!? RIP Peter."

Sally Ann Matthews, who played Jenny Bradley in the soap, tweeted: "Lovely Peter Baldwin. Such a gentle, kind, funny man and a wonderful actor and toy shop purveyor x".

Baldwin was born in Sussex in 1933. After training to be an actor, he joined the West of England Theatre company, going on to make several appearances onstage and in films before joining Coronation Street. He married former Play School presenter and actress Sarah Long, who died of cancer in 1987.

He also worked at Pollock's Toy Museum in London and managed its traditional toy shop in Covent Garden.