Dear John was a joy..God bless & thanks for being in my life

Cobbles co-star Sue Nicholls on working with Street legend

- NICOLA METHVEN

AS unlucky-in-love butcher Fred Elliott, known for his booming voice and unique way, we say, unique way with words, he created one of TV's most iconic characters.

The announcement yesterday that John Savident had died at the age of 86 prompted warm tributes from his former Coronation Street co-stars.

Sue Nicholls, who played Audrey Roberts, one of Fred's many short-lived conguests. said: "I am very sad to hear of John's passing. My memories of working with you dear John on the street are a joy and always will be. God bless you and thank you for being in my life."

Savident joined the Manchester soap in 1994 and soon became a fan favourite thanks to Fred's big personality and way of repeating himself.

More often than not his storylines revolved around Fred's disastrous love life, with him notching up three marriages and several failed proposals.

Fred also discovered he had a secret son, Ashley Peacock, played by Steven Arnold, and the pair bonded working as butchers together.

When Savident won best comedy performance at the British Soap Awards in 1999, he dedicated his win to co-star Arnold, saying he "wants to give this also to someone who helps me an awful lot, and without which Fred couldn't function".