CORONATION STREET - CORONATION STREET STAR PAYS TRIBUTE TO LATE WIFE

CORONATION STREET STAR PAYS TRIBUTE TO LATE WIFE

Actor Bill Roache has given an emotional eulogy for his late wife at her memorial service in Cheshire.

The Coronation Street veteran's wife Sara, 58, died suddenly ten days ago and filming of the ITV1 soap was halted for the first time in a decade to allow cast and crew to attend.

Surrounded by members of the Coronation Street staff, Roache said he was sure his late wife had gone to a "wonderful home" to join the couple's 18-month-old daughter Edwina, who died in 1984 after a chest infection.

"I am the luckiest man alive to have had such a loving, loyal, devoted beautiful wife for 35 years and to have two beautiful and loving children in Verity and Will," he said.

"I know, and I really do know, she is in a beautiful place and we are eternally connected.

"Her presence was so strong, her love was so strong and I will always miss her.

"I have a legacy from Sara to live life to the full, to do everything to the best of your ability and to remember that love solves everything. I love you, Sara."

Around 200 people, including actors Samia Smith, Ann Kirkbride and Chris Gascoigne attended the service at St Bartholomew's church in Wilmslow.