Coronation Street actress Joan Savage has died aged 89 after a career spanning six decades.
Blackpool-born Joan played Celeste Pickersgill, the dancing partner of long-standing character Norris Cole, played by Malcolm Hebden, for five episodes in the soap in 2000.
The actress also appeared in an episode of Dad’s Army in 1972 and made several appearances on The Arthur Haynes Show between 1956 and 1962.
Joan’s cause of death was not revealed, but her family announced that she died peacefully at Brinsworth House in Twickenham.
Caption: Coronation Street actress Joan Savage has sadly passed away aged 89 after a career spanning six decades (pictured in 1958)
Corrie: Blackpool-born Joan starred in the soap as Celeste Pickersgill, the dance partner of long-standing character Norris Cole, played by Malcolm Hebden
Brief Appearance: Joan only played the ballroom dancer for five episodes in 2000, but left a lasting impression on fans
Joan is survived by her husband Bryan, daughter Kelly and grandchildren Mark and Simon.
Kelly said in a statement: “Mom always said, ‘I’d like to walk in my tap shoes,’ so the last few years have been extremely difficult for her and for us as a family.”
“I hope she gets back together with her showbiz contemporaries and puts on a show up there!”
As a child, Joan followed her comedian father Norman Savage through the northern club scene.
When Joan was 12 years old, she joined the famous Children’s Tower Ballet and Blackpool Tower Circus.
There she met the artist Ken Morris, whom she married in 1955, and the two formed a duo.
They became household names, appearing together on The Arthur Haynes Show and releasing several singles.
Joan and Ken also appeared in numerous commercials and other major shows such as Hi Summer, The Black and White Minstrel Show and The Jack Jackson Show.
Former co-star: Blackpool-born Joan played the partner of long-standing character Norris Cole, played by Malcolm Hebden (pictured), in Coronation Street.
Joan and Ken were together for several years.
They gave birth to daughter Kelly in 1960 and later performed at the London Palladium with former boss Arthur Haynes and others.
Sadly, Ken was diagnosed with a brain tumor and died not long after in 1968, leaving Joan a widow until she met Bryan.
Joan has had a 60-year career in film, television and stage.