Coronation Street veteran Roy Barraclough dies aged 81

CORONATION STREET’S veteran star Roy Barraclough has died aged 81.

The actor, who played Rovers Return landlord Alec Gilroy, passed away after a short illness according to his agent.

Prior to becoming a regular on the TV soap, he formed one half of a comedy duo with his friend Les Dawson.

The pair played two ladies from Northern Ireland called Cissie Braithwaite and Ada Shufflebotham.

He was awarded an MBE in 2006 for services to drama and charity in the North West.