Duggie Brown dies

Duggie Brown has died aged 82.

The comedian's death was confirmed by comic Tommy Cannon, 84, who praised the former 'Coronation Street' star as a "funny, funny man".

He wrote on Twitter: "Really sad to hear about the passing of Duggie Brown, Rest in peace pal, what a funny funny man- thinking of all your friends and family (sic)"

Duggie performed routines on the likes of light entertainment programme 'The Good Old Days' from 1971 to 1980, and he appeared on Granada Television's series 'The Comedians'.

The star also had a successful acting career, portraying a milkman in Ken Loach's 1969 classic 'Kes' in one of his first-ever roles.

He starred as lab technician Phil Strong in detective series 'The Enigma Files' in the 1980s, and appeared in comedy series 'The Glamour Girls'

Duggie had strong links to 'Corrie' through his sister Lynne Perrie, who portrayed iconic character Ivy Tilsley for 23 years from 1971 to 1994.

Lynne - who died in 2006 aged 74 - also starred in 'Kes' alongside her brother.

Duggie himself went on to star in the ITV soap, appearing as Ted Spear.

The character was struck by Faye Windass' (Ellie Leach) car when she was driving back home following a New Year's Eve party.

Ted appeared to be OK at first but was later found dead in his chair the following day.

But it wasn't Duggie's first appearance in 'Corrie'.

He starred as The Hour Glass bar owner George Freeman in 1997, and seven years later he appeared as Bernie Cooper, the husband of Honor Blackman's character Rula Romanoff, a friend of Rita Sullivan (Barbara Knox).