The entertainment world is mourning the loss of Lynne Verrall, a cherished actress whose career illuminated British television and theatre for three decades. She passed away at the age of 76 following a long illness.
A Life on Stage and Screen
Lynne Verrall died in Paris on November 8, 2025, and a GoFundMe page has since been created in her memory. For fans of ITV's Coronation Street, she was best known as Geraldine Spellman, the grandmother of Summer Spellman, a role she portrayed in 2017 and 2018. Her character was central to a gripping custody battle with Billy Mayhew, played by Daniel Brocklebank, after her on-screen son Drew left his daughter in Billy's care. The storyline concluded with Summer choosing to stay with Billy, leading Eileen Grimshaw to send Geraldine away.
Born in 1949, Verrall grew up in Shropshire and honed her craft at the prestigious Birmingham School of Acting. Shortly after graduating, she embarked on a tour with the New Shakespeare Company, serving as the understudy for Celia in As You Like It. Her passion for the stage continued throughout the 1990s with notable performances, including a production of Entertaining Mr Sloane at Theatr Clwyd and a starring role in Joe Penhall's Pale Horse.
A New Chapter in Paris and Final Role
In 2012, Lynne made a significant life change, moving to Paris where she continued to pursue her art. She appeared in several French short films and, in 2023, landed the role of Kelly Reilly's mother in the dramedy Greek Salad, an offer extended by the acclaimed French director Cédric Klapisch. Tragically, soon after finishing filming for this part, Lynne was diagnosed with motor neurone disease.
Her agent, Samantha Boyd, paid tribute to her spirit, telling The Stage: ‘Lynne was always ready to try any role, to grow and learn and develop. She embraced life to the full.’
Tributes from Friends and Colleagues
Close friend Sue Dunderdale, who founded the touring company Pentabus of which Lynne was an original member, spoke of her immense courage. ‘She faced it with incredible courage. She was extraordinary,’ Dunderdale said.
Despite her illness, Lynne chose to remain in the city she loved. The Sun reported that she had ‘created this wonderful persona of an eccentric, charming Englishwoman’ and was ‘happy there’. Dunderdale added a poignant final thought, noting that Lynne was ‘a fantastic actor but never got the recognition she deserved’, a sentiment that underscores the quiet brilliance of her long and varied career.
