William Rush (actor)
William Rush | |
|---|---|
 Rush as Josh Stevenson in Waterloo Road | |
| Born | William Edward Rush 6 July 1994 Bury, Greater Manchester, England |
| Died | 17 December 2025 (aged 31) Salford, Greater Manchester, England |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2005–2017 |
| Television | Waterloo Road (2009–2013) |
| Children | 1 |
| Parent(s) | Debbie Rush (mother) Andrew Rush (father) |
William Edward Rush (6 July 1994 – 17 December 2025) was an English actor and singer-songwriter. He was best known for portraying the role of Josh Stevenson in the BBC school-based drama series Waterloo Road (2009–2013). In 2016, Rush appeared as a contestant on the thirteenth series of The X Factor.
Early life
William Edward Rush was born on 6 July 1994 in Bury, Greater Manchester, to Andrew and Debbie Rush. His mother is also an actress. He had an older sister and a brother.[1][2][3]
Rush attended Bamford Academy and trained at the Manchester School of Acting.[4][5]
Career
Rush started his career in BBC's Grange Hill playing the role of Ali Duncan, before being given a small part in Channel 4's Shameless as a lad at an ice cream van. He also appeared in Drop Dead Gorgeous and The Street. From 2009 to 2012, he played Josh Stevenson in Waterloo Road and made a guest appearance the following year.[6][7]
In 2016, Rush auditioned for series 13 of The X Factor and made it through to the six-chair challenge, the third of four elimination stages.[8][9]
Death
Rush died at Salford Royal Hospital on 17 December 2025 at aged 31. His mother announced the news of his death on Instagram the following day.[10]
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Grange Hill | Ali Duncan[11] | Recurring role; 6 episodes |
| Shameless[10] | Lad at Ice Cream Truck | Episode: "Dangerous Situation" | |
| Drop Dead Gorgeous[12] | Lad 1 | Series 2: Episode 1 | |
| The Street[12] | Jack Taylor | Episode: "The Letter" | |
| 2009–2013 | Waterloo Road[10] | Josh Stevenson | Regular role (series 5–8); 69 episodes |
| 2013 | Casualty[10] | Stef Kelly | Episode: "Cross Roads" |
| 2014 | Coronation Street[12] | Ian | Episode #1.8361 |
| Vera[10] | Ryan Darrow | Episode: "On Harbour Street" | |
| 2016 | The X Factor[10] | Himself | Series 13 contestant |
| 2017 | Friday On My Mind[12] | George Young | Miniseries; 2 episodes In his final television appearance |
References
- ^ Gray, Lisa. "Debbie Rush plays Anna Windass". TVNZ. Archived from the original on 29 March 2013. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
- ^ Thornton, Lucy (9 December 2010). "Coronation Street's Debbie Rush: I lost four dress sizes in four months". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
- ^ Bourne, Dianne (6 April 2014). "Exclusive pictures: Corrie's Debbie Rush renews wedding vows at star-studded ceremony in Rochdale". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
- ^ Fitzpatrick, Katie (19 October 2011). "Waterloo Road star returns to school to relive first class act". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
- ^ Gray, Lisa (20 April 2010). "In a Rush for fame". Manchester Evening News. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
- ^ Kilkelly, Daniel (21 September 2012). "'Waterloo Road' cast updates: Show exits and returns". Digital Spy. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
- ^ Denman, Amy; Hawksworth, Veronique (18 December 2025). "Waterloo Road actor and son of Coronation Street star dies age 31 – days before Christmas". MyLondon. Reach plc. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
- ^ Daly, Emma (17 September 2016). "Waterloo Road star Will Rush auditions for The X Factor". Radio Times. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
- ^ "Can Will Rush make it in music? Auditions Week 4 The X Factor UK 2016". YouTube. 17 September 2016. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f McIntosh, Steven (18 December 2025). "Waterloo Road actor William Rush dies aged 31". BBC News. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
- ^ Welsh, Daniel (17 September 2016). "'X Factor': 'Waterloo Road' Actor Will Rush Auditions For The Judges". Huffington Post. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
- ^ a b c d Segarra, Edward (18 December 2025). "William Rush, 'Waterloo Road' star and Debbie Rush's son, dies at 31". USA Today. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
External links
- William Rush at IMDb