William Rush, British Actor Known for ‘Waterloo Road’ and ‘The X Factor,’ Dies at 31

William Rush, known for his role in the British soap Waterloo Roadhas died. He was 31.

The Brit’s mother, former Coronation Star Debbie Rush, took to Instagram this week and wrote to users: “Our beautiful baby boy, William, passed away on December 17th. As a family, our hearts are completely broken, and there are no words that can truly capture the depth of our loss.”

“Even in our darkest moment,” she continued, “William gave the most precious gift of all. Through being an organ donor, he has given hope and life to other families, thinking of others right to the very end. His kindness and love will forever be part of his legacy.”

“We kindly ask that our privacy be respected as we navigate this unimaginable grief. William will always be loved, always missed, and forever in our hearts.” She added the hashtag #bekind. No cause of death has been announced.

Denise Welch, a co-star of Rush’s on Waterloo Road and mother of The 1975’s Matty Healy, was among mourners leaving comments on the post. “He was a joy,” she wrote. “I’m so sorry Debbie.” Britain’s Got Talent winner George Sampson said: “I’m so sorry to see this, thoughts are with you all, rest in paradise Will.”

The White Lotus star Aimee Lou Wood also wrote to Rush’s mother, with whom she worked on Daddy Issues. “Debbie, I am so so sorry,” Wood said with three heart emojis. “Sending you all my love.”

Rush will be most recognizable to audiences as Josh Stevenson in the BBC’s Waterloo Roadappearing in over 150 episodes from 2009 and 2013. The show was a hit in its native UK and followed the lives of students and staff at a school in Rochdale, England.

As a child, he starred in Grange Hill and Shamelessand also had roles in Casualty and Vera. In 2016, he auditioned for The X Factor and in 2017 had a role in Friday On My Mind.