Coronation Street star John Saint Ryan, who played lorry driver Charlie Whelan in the ITV soap from 1993 until 1994, has died at the age of 72 following a heart attack. The actor passed away surrounded by family on April 3 his wife Joyce confirmed in a Facebook post. "I and our family want to let our friends know that John had a heart attack the evening of Thursday 3rd of April. 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. 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," she concluded.

John was born in Burnley, Lancashire, in 1953 and became a martial arts teacher in the town before his skills led him into acting.

His first role was as a stunt double for James Bond legend Sean Connery on the film The Medicine Man. He made his official acting debut in Channel 4's G.B.H. in 1983.

He landed a small role in soap Emmerdale as Jameson before securing the Corrie role that would make him famous.

As long distance lorry driver Charlie Whelan he really captured the publics imagination. He wash thrust right into the action when he began a relationship with iconic Rovers Return landlady Bet Gilroy (played by Julie Goodyear) during her separation from husband Alec Gilroy (Roy Barraclough).

However when barmaid Tanya Pooley (Eva Pope) set her sights on him to get her own back on Bet, he succumbed to her charms. They ran off to Germany together but it didn't last, with Tanya dumping Charlie once he'd served his purpose bringing his year on the soap to an end.

Following his stint on the soap he moved to California in the 1990s where he enjoyed continued success. He had supporting roles in films and television series included Buffy the Vampire Slayer, General Hospital, Murder, She Wrote, Cybill and The Heidi Chronicles. He also played the main antagonist in the sci-fi film Cyborg in American Cyborg: Steel Warrior.

Away from screen he owned and operated a cattle ranch called Red Rose Ranch where he trained horses and riders in dressage and western riding. He himself specialised in the doma vaquera style of riding and won multiple national and international titles in the sport over the years.

He is survived by Joyce and has three sons.