CORONATION Street star John Saint Ryan has passed away aged 72.
The English actor and horse trainer died on April 3 surrounded by his family after having a heart attack.
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A statement shared on Facebook by his wife Joyce read: “I and our family want to let our friends know that John had a heart attack the evening of Thursday 3rd of April.
“We were with him at the hospital where the staff did everything possible but unfortunately he did not survive.
“We are absolutely heart broken. John wanted to aid medical research and donated his body, so there will not be a funeral.
“Later, we will arrange a celebration of his wonderful life.
“We are all fortunate to have known and loved this special ‘Gentleman’ as he has been described to me numerous times over the last couple of days.”
Saint Ryan was born in Burnley, Lancashire, in 1953 and became a martial arts teacher in the town.
His first role came as a stunt double for Sean Connery on the film set The Medicine Man.
Saint Ryan then made his acting debut in G.B.H. in 1983 on Channel 4.
He got a small role in soap Emmerdale as Jameson and went on to star as Charlie Whelan in Coronation Street.
Other supporting roles in films and television series included Buffy the Vampire Slayer, General Hospital, Murder, She Wrote, Cybill and The Heidi Chronicles.
Saint Ryan also played the main antagonist Cyborg in American Cyborg: Steel Warrior.
The keen supporter of Burnley Football Club then moved to California in the early 1990s.
Saint Ryan owned and operated a cattle ranch called Red Rose Ranch where he trained horses and riders in both dressage and western riding.
He specialised in the doma vaquera style of riding and has won multiple national and international titles in the sport.
Saint Ryan is survived by Joyce and his three sons.
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