William Rush: Waterloo Road Actor Dies at 31, Inquest Opened

William Rush, best known for playing Josh Stevenson on Waterloo Road, died on 17 December 2025 at Salford Royal Hospital aged 31. An inquest into his death opened on 22 January 2026 at Bolton Coroner’s Court, but the cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.

Date of birth: 6 July 1994 Date of death: 17 December 2025 Age at death: 31 Known for: Playing Josh Stevenson in Waterloo Road Occupation: Actor, singer-songwriter Place of death: Salford Royal Hospital

What happened to Josh from Waterloo Road?

Josh Stevenson’s storyline

William Rush played Josh Stevenson, a student at Waterloo Road, from 2009 until 2013. The character was introduced as the son of headteacher Karen Fisher and later became a popular figure. According to a BBC News report, Rush appeared in the show for four years before his character was written out.

His exit from the show

Josh left Waterloo Road as part of the plot progression. The exact circumstances of his exit have not been detailed in the available reporting, but the role remains his most recognised work.

Who is William Rush’s father?

Father’s identity

No confirmed information about William Rush’s father is available in the provided sources. Public records and interviews have not disclosed his father’s name. Rush’s mother, actress Sally Carman – actually his mother is Debbie Rush, not Sally Carman – correction needed. Wait, research notes: his mother is Debbie Rush, actress from Coronation Street. The internal link to Sally Carman is separate. I need to correct: the article says his mother is Debbie Rush. So for the H2 “Who is William Rush’s father?” we note that his mother is Debbie Rush, but father is not known. We’ll cite E! Online that his mother confirmed his death.

E! Online reported that his mother, actress Debbie Rush, publicly confirmed his death and asked for privacy. However, no details about his father have emerged.

Family background

Rush was born to Debbie Rush, best known for her role as Fiz Brown on Coronation Street. His father’s identity remains a private matter.

Who did William Rush play in Coronation Street?

His role in Coronation Street

No confirmed details about his Coronation Street role are available from the provided sources. Although his mother Debbie Rush is a long-time cast member, William’s own appearance on the show is unconfirmed. Some online mentions exist but lack reliable sourcing.

Other television appearances

Beyond Waterloo Road, Rush appeared in minor roles and as a singer on The X Factor – though his participation is not verified by tier 2 sources. The provided research notes list it as unclear.

What is William Rush known for?

Best known role

William Rush is best known for playing Josh Stevenson in Waterloo Road from 2009 to 2013. A Metro report notes he appeared in 168 episodes of the series.

Other talents

Rush was also a singer-songwriter. Tributes from colleagues, including Denise Welch, who worked with him on Waterloo Road, described him as “beautiful” and praised his musical ability, per Metro.

Why was Chlo killed in Waterloo Road?

Chlo’s storyline

Chlo was a character in Waterloo Road played by Katie Griffiths. The specific reason for her death is part of the show’s narrative but is not detailed in the provided research notes. This question is often searched by fans, but available coverage does not elaborate.

Impact on the show

Chlo’s death was a plot event that affected the series. Without direct sourcing, this article cannot confirm the details beyond the character’s existence.

Timeline of Key Events

• 6 July 1994 – William Edward Rush born.
• 2009–2013 – Played Josh Stevenson in Waterloo Road.
• 17 December 2025 – Died at Salford Royal Hospital, aged 31.
• 22 January 2026 – Inquest opened and adjourned at Bolton Coroner’s Court.

“We are heartbroken to confirm the passing of our beautiful William. He was a kind, talented soul who left us too soon.” – Family statement, reported by E! Online

“Police coroner’s officer Marcheta Hogan told the inquest there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding Rush’s death.” – BBC News report from the inquest

Frequently Asked Questions

Related articles: Sally Carman: Husband, Kids, Lip Fillers and Net Worth and Will Mellor: Biography, Wife, Sister, ADHD, Height & Facts – both fellow Waterloo Road cast members.