Tragic last gift Corrie legend’s son William Rush left after death aged just 31 – as his star-studded family pay tribute

William’s final gift was an act of generosity that has brought hope to others
GROWING up with a Corrie icon for a mum, Debbie Rush’s son was raised in the world of TV and showbiz – and acting was always in his blood.

William – who tragically died aged just 31 on Wednesday – came from serious acting stock, following proudly in his mum’s footsteps and carving out his own career on screen before finding fame on The X Factor.

Debbie, best known as fiery Anna Windass on Corrie from 2008 to 2018, revealed her “beautiful baby boy” passed away just a week before Christmas, leaving the family “completely broken”.

The 59-year-old mum also revealed William’s final gift – an act of generosity that has brought hope to others in the darkest of times.

Paying tribute to her son yesterday, Debbie wrote: “Our beautiful baby boy, William, passed away on 17th December.

“As a family, our hearts are completely broken, and there are no words that can truly capture the depth of our loss.”

Heartbroken Debbie said she hoped her son’s legacy could live on through organ donation.

She said: “Even in our darkest moment, William gave the most precious gift of all.

“Through being an organ donor, he has given hope and life to other families, thinking of others right to the very end.

“His kindness and love will forever be part of his legacy.

“We kindly ask that our privacy be respected as we navigate this unimaginable grief.

“William will always be loved, always missed, and forever in our hearts.”

William’s brother Tom also shared a heartfelt tribute to his late brother online along with a picture of the pair laughing happily.

Born into a family steeped in showbiz, it was perhaps no surprise that William caught the acting bug early.

Inspired by his mum’s talent, William successfully carved out his own acting career, appearing in numerous television productions over the years.

William first discovered his love for performing at school, playing the Artful Dodger in a production of Oliver! at Bamford Academy – a role that hinted at the talent to come.

From then on, his career gathered pace quickly.

The much-loved star attended the Manchester School of Acting before landing his first on screen role in BBC’s Shameless in 2007. 

But William was best known for his stint on Waterloo Road as Josh Stevenson from 2009 to 2012.

He also memorably appeared in seven episodes of Grange Hill as Ali Duncan from 2005 to 2007.

Debbie’s beloved late son William also followed in her footsteps for a period of time as he made his mark on the hit show.

William appeared on Coronation Street in 2014 in two separate episodes, playing the role of a young man who threatened Maddie Heath at her hostel.

William also starred in Shameless and Vera during his acting career.

William’s ambitions didn’t stop at acting as he showed off his musical talent when he auditioned for The X Factor in 2016 aged 21.

He sang Zara Larsson’s Lush Life in front of judges Simon Cowell, Sharon Osbourne, Louis Walsh and Nicole Scherzinger.

William made it through to the six-chair challenge, the third of four elimination stages.

William left behind his parents Debbie and Andrew as well as siblings Poppy and Tom.

And the acting blood in his family is also evident with Poppy who has also starred on screen.

Like her sibling and mother, Poppy has appeared in soaps, including one that rivals Corrie.

The singer and actress played Sophie Dodd in EastEnders.

William passed away on Wednesday but his cause of death is still unknown.

Debbie, who married husband Andrew in 1989, has since been flooded with support from fans and fellow soap stars after news of the tragic death broke.

Fellow Coronation Street stars left supportive messages on her post, with Sally Dynevor saying she was “so shocked to hear this news” and describing William as a “beautiful boy”.

Actor Jack P Shepherd said: “Terrible to read that Debbie. Devastating news, thinking of you all.”

Meanwhile Shobna Gulati wrote: “Sending you all the love, I’m so sorry and my deepest sympathies.”

Chelsee Healey, who also appeared in Waterloo road, posted: “My heart breaks for you all, I’m so so sorry.”