Actor Bryan Mosley, who played Alf Roberts in the long-running soap Coronation Street, died yesterday, just weeks after the final appearance of his character.
The veteran actor, aged 67, collapsed in Shipley High Street, West Yorkshire, and was dead on arrival at Bradford Royal Infirmary, Granada TV said.
His Coronation Street character first appeared in the show in 1961 before taking a final bow at New Year's Eve, when he died in his sleep in a special farewell episode. Mosley's ill-health was behind producers' decision to retire him.
Bill Roache, who plays Ken Barlow in the soap, said: "We had hoped that after his retirement that Bryan would have had many more years with his family.
"He was a very good man and a great actor. He was a wonderful man who was a good friend and I loved him dearly."
Mr Mosley's character, Alf, began as a Post Office worker before becoming well known for running the Street's corner shop. Alf ended up as mayor; he appeared in 1,863 episodes.
Leeds-born Mosley, a keen fencer, also featured in other TV series such as Z Cars and The Saint. Films included Get Carter, Far From The Madding Crowd and A Kind of Loving.
He and his wife Norma have six children and six grandchildren.