William Rush, Known for Grange Hill and Waterloo Road, Dies Suddenly at 31

William Rush Dead at 31: Waterloo Road and Grange Hill Actor Remembered

William Rush, the British actor known for his roles in Grange Hill and Waterloo Road, has died at the age of 31, his family confirmed on 17 December 2025. His mother, actress Debbie Rush, shared the heartbreaking news on Instagram, describing the family’s grief and paying tribute to her son’s life and legacy. 

Career and Notable Roles

• William Edward Rush was born on 6 July 1994 in Greater Manchester, England. He began acting as a child, appearing in classic British series like Grange Hill (as Ali Duncan) and a small role in Shameless. Rush’s most widely recognized role was as Josh Stevenson in the BBC One school drama Waterloo Road, where he appeared in hundreds of episodes between 2009 and 2013. In that role, he portrayed a character with memorable and impactful storylines.

• Beyond Waterloo Road, he made guest appearances in established TV shows including Casualty, Vera, and even briefly appeared in an episode of Coronation Street, the soap in which his mother Debbie won fame. In 2016, he auditioned for The X Factor, progressing as far as the six-chair challenge—showcasing his talents beyond acting.

Family Tribute and Legacy

Debbie Rush, known for her decade-long role as Anna Windass on Coronation Street, expressed profound sorrow in her Instagram announcement, calling William “our beautiful baby boy” and asking for privacy as the family grieves. A cause of death has not been publicly disclosed. 

One of the most poignant parts of her tribute was that William was a registered organ donor, and she emphasized that even in death he “gave hope and life to other families,” a choice she described as his lasting act of kindness.