Actress Reveals Her Actor Son Has Died Suddenly at 31

British actor William Rush — beloved for his role on the hit drama Waterloo Road — has died at just 31 years old. The devastating news was shared by his mother, actress Debbie Rush, who called his passing “unimaginable grief” for their family.

In a moving Instagram post, Debbie Rush — best known for playing Anna Windass on Coronation Street — told fans her family was shattered by the loss.
“As a family, our hearts are completely broken,” she wrote. “There are no words that can truly capture the depth of our loss.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Debbie Rush (@debbie_rush)

She revealed her son died on December 17, and that even in death, his compassion lived on. “William was an organ donor,” she shared, adding that through his final act, “he gave hope and life to other families.”

Rush’s death has sent shockwaves through the U.K. entertainment world. Friends, colleagues, and former co-stars flooded social media with tributes.

Actress Aimee Lou Wood of The White Lotus wrote under Debbie’s post, “Debbie, I am so, so sorry. Sending you all my love.”

Fans also remembered William’s standout performances as Josh Stevenson in Waterloo Road and his early roles in Grange Hill, Shameless, and Casualty.

William Rush grew up surrounded by acting — his mother, Debbie, is one of Britain’s most recognizable soap stars, and his sister, Poppy Rush, is also an actress.
He joined Waterloo Road in 2009 as the son of a teacher struggling with his sexuality — a storyline praised for its sensitivity and realism.

At the time, Rush told the Manchester Evening News, “I wanted to play Josh honestly — not as a stereotype, but as a real kid trying to understand who he is.”

No cause of death has been disclosed. Debbie ended her post by asking for space to grieve: “Please respect our privacy as we try to come to terms with this unimaginable loss.”

Friends say William’s compassion mirrored the roles he played on screen — quiet, thoughtful, and deeply human. His mother said it best: “His kindness and love will forever be part of his legacy.”