Coronation Street and film star John Saint Ryan dies suddenly aged 72

Michael Adams

Published April 7, 2025 9:46am Updated April 7, 2025 9:55am

Charlie Whelan wraps his arm around Bet Gilroy in Coronation Street — Former Coronation Street star John Saint Ryan has passed away (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock)

Former Coronation Street star John Saint Ryan has died at the age of 72.

The actor portrayed long-distance lorry driver Charlie Whelan for 10 months between 1993 and 1994.

Enjoying a brief relationship with Bet Gilroy (Julie Goodyear) during her separation from husband Alec (Roy Barraclough), he later ran off to Germany with barmaid Tanya Pooley (Eva Pope).

It soon transpired that their fling was orchestrated by Tanya as revenge, after being fired from the Rovers Return.

Away from the cobbles, John appeared alongside Heath Ledger as Fergus in 13 episodes of Fox television series Roar, and as Myles Standish in 1994 Disney adventure drama film Squanto: A Warrior’s Tale.

Off-screen he worked as a horse trainer in California – where he moved in the mid 90s – and previously ran a Muay Thai gym in Preston.

Heath Ledger and John Saint Ryan in Roar — He had a number of big screen roles – including alongside Heath Ledger in Roar (Picture: Universal/Everett/Shutterstock)

It was here that he developed skills to act as body double for Sean Connery in The Medicine Man.

He died from a sudden heart attack on April 3rd, his wife Joyce confirmed on Facebook.

‘I and our family want to let our friends know that John had a heart attack the evening of Thursday 3rd of April’ she wrote.

”We were with him at the hospital where the staff did everything possible but unfortunately he did not survive.

‘We are absolutely heart broken. John wanted to aid medical research and donated his body, so there will not be a funeral.

John Saint Ryan taken without permission from his facebook page https://www.facebook.com/john.s.ryan.9/photos — His wife confirmed his death on social media (Picture: Facebook)

‘Later, we will arrange a celebration of his wonderful life. We are all fortunate to have known and loved this special ”Gentleman” as he has been described to me numerous times over the last couple of days.’

Born in Burnley, Lancashire in 1953, John made his acting debut thirty years later when he had a role in Channel 4’s G.B.H.

He then had a guest role in American anthology series The Twilight Zone, before playing Command Sergeant Major Jameson in two episodes of Emmerdale Farm in 1987.