Christmas should bring noise, food, and family chaos. Instead, actress Debbie Rush is facing a silence no parent expects. Her son, William Rush, died on December 17, 2025. He was 31.
The former Coronation Street star shared the news on Instagram on December 18. She wrote that the family feels “completely broken” and called their grief “unimaginable.” She also asked for privacy.
Loss hits harder in December. Every light and carol can feel like a reminder. And when the world keeps celebrating, grief can feel even lonelier.
A legacy that still gives
Yet, Debbie also shared one detail that stopped people mid-scroll. William became an organ donor. Even in death, he offered what she called “the most precious gift of all,” bringing hope to other families.
Fans remembered him, too. Many knew him as Josh Stevenson on Waterloo Road, where he appeared in 70 episodes from 2009 to 2013. He also showed up on Grange Hill, Vera, Casualty, and Shameless. Later, he guested on Coronation Street in 2014.
Then, in 2016, he tried The X Factor. He sang Zara Larsson’s “Lush Life” and reached the third elimination stage.
His story started even earlier at Bamford Academy as the Artful Dodger in Oliver. After training at the Manchester School of Acting, he kept working—and, by many accounts, kept being kind.
His cause of death has not been confirmed publicly. Still, his generosity speaks loudly.
