An original cast member of ITV soap opera Coronation Street has died. Ernst Walder, who was 94, played Ivan Cheveski and was also the boyfriend of the soap's co-creator Tony Warren in the 1960s.
He had actually died on Monday September 6, 2021, but was only made known to the wider public today, MirrorOnline reports. Former Coronotion Street writer Daran Little wrote: "Very sad to read of the passing of dearest Ernst Walder.
"An original C St cast member who quickly became Tony Warren's boyfriends before Tony caught him in bed with another cast member."
Daran added: "Ernst used to send my sons chocolates every Christmas and was the loveliest man."
Ernst is best known to audiences for playing Ivan in Corrie, a role he held between 1960 and 1963, and again from 1966 to 1967. Ernst worked with the likes of Bill Roache - who plays Ken Barlow on the soap and has done since December 9, 1960.
Bill is the only remaining original cast member and recently celebrated his 90th birthday with a special documentary about his life on the soap.
Tributes have been paid to Ernst on social media. Tony N. Morris wrote: "How sad. He was a great character with Linda Tanner. Rip"
Lewis wrote: "Sad to read of the death of Ernst Walder, he played Ivan Cheveski in Coronation Street and was one of the original characters back in 1960. Extremely close to Pat Phoenix, he had so much charisma in those early years. Very sad to read of his passing."
