William Rush dies at 31; mother Debbie rush shares heartbreaking tribute, cause of death not disclosed

William Rush dies at 31; mother Debbie rush shares heartbreaking tribute, cause of death not disclosed

Actor William Rush, son of British television star Debbie Rush, passed away on December 17, 2025, at the age of 31. The heartbreaking news was confirmed by Debbie Rush through an emotional post on social media, leaving the entertainment industry and fans in shock.

On December 18, Debbie Rush took to Instagram to share the devastating loss of her son. In a deeply moving note, the Coronation Street actor described the family’s grief and paid tribute to William’s life and kindness.

“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,” she wrote.

Debbie also revealed a deeply meaningful detail about William’s final act of generosity. She shared that her son was an organ donor and, even in death, helped give hope and life to others.

“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,” she added.

Concluding her note, Debbie respectfully asked for privacy as the family copes with the tragedy, stating that William would always be loved, missed, and remembered.

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Following the announcement, tributes poured in from colleagues and friends across the television industry. Coronation Street co-star Sally Dynevor wrote, “Oh Debbie, I’m so shocked to hear this news. Sending you so much love. What a beautiful boy he was.” Waterloo Road actor Katie McGlynn also shared her condolences, saying William “brought a smile to everyone’s face” and was “a very kind soul.”

William Rush was widely known for his role as Josh Stevenson in the BBC drama Waterloo Road, where he appeared from 2009 to 2013. He earlier played Ali Duncan in Grange Hill between 2005 and 2007 and began his acting career with appearances in Shameless. Over the years, he also featured in shows such as Vera, Casualty, and Coronation Street, where he shared screen space with his mother. He later appeared as a lead cast member in the mini-series Friday On My Mind.

Born on July 6, 1994, William was one of three children of Debbie Rush and Andrew Rush, who married in 1989. He trained at the Manchester School of Acting and was encouraged to pursue acting by his headteacher, Cherie Rivero, who inspired him to audition for school theatre at Bamford Academy in England.

While condolences continue to pour in, the cause of William Rush’s death has not been officially disclosed. The family has not issued any further statement, and reports confirm that no details regarding the circumstances of his passing have been made public.