Michael Byrne, the veteran actor who played Ted Page on Coronation Street and older Gellert Grindelwald in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1, has died at the age of 82. Tributes have been pouring in from fans and colleagues following the news of his death.
Career spanning decades
Byrne's long career spanned dozens of theatre productions, TV shows, and films since the 1960s. He learned his craft on the UK's iconic theatre stages, performing with the likes of Maggie Smith at the Old Vic. He also appeared alongside Hollywood royalty including Harrison Ford.
In film, Byrne played a ruthless Nazi colonel in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, a navy officer in Tomorrow Never Dies opposite Pierce Brosnan's James Bond, and appeared in Mel Gibson's Braveheart. He also portrayed a Jewish concentration camp survivor in Apt Pupil alongside Sir Ian McKellen.
Coronation Street role
Byrne became a familiar face to many as Coronation Street's Ted Page between 2008 and 2010. The character was the ex-lover of Audrey Roberts and the father of Gail Platt. In Ted's final appearance, he walked his daughter Gail down the aisle at her wedding to Joe McIntyre.
On television, he appeared in several hit series including BBC's Casualty, ITV's A Touch of Frost, and Sharpe.
Personal life and tributes
The London-born actor is survived by his wife Carole, two daughters Tara and Bryony, and three grandchildren: Tom, Chloe, and Jasmine. Fans reacted to the news on social media. Stuart Beck said: 'RIP to the charming Michael Byrne who played Corrie's (lovely, gay) Ted Page.' Lily May Sherratt said: 'The superb Michael Byrne has left us.'
