Coronation Street legend Antony Cotton, best known for his role as Sean Tully in the ITV soap, left fans devastated as he announced some devastating death news on social media. The actor took to Instagram with a heartbreaking message after his friend Callum – a soldier – sadly died. Antony is a proud campaigner for veterans in the UK, and regularly shares updates on Instagram.

Alongside a snap showing him standing in a black tuxedo next to Callum, in full military regalia, Antony wrote: “I hope you’re at peace now Callum. We are all absolutely devastated. You were a great pal and a great soldier. We will miss you Callum – the blokes loved you. We all did.

“Rest easy mate. You were one of the very best. I’m sorry we couldn’t save you.”

Fans rushed to show Antony their support, and sent condolences for Callum.

One wrote: “This is so sad, RIP Callum. He was in Sandhurst when my family was posted there too in 2020-2022. Thinking of his family and friends at this sad time.”

Another echoed: “Such sad news, RIP mate. My thoughts and prayers go out to family and friends.”

Somebody else said: “Thank you for your service Callum. So sorry about your loss Antony.”

Antony has shared his experiences volunteering for Brougton House, a retirement home for ex-soldiers in Manchester, in the past. In 2019 he explained how he saved a suicidal soldier.

He explained: “I drove to a motorway bridge, to a soldier I’d never met who was suicidal and then drove him back to my house.” Five years later, they crossed paths in a supermarket.

He explained: “I saw him in a supermarket, walking towards me with a pram with his wife and two babies.

“There was Christmas music playing and I stepped round my trolley and hugged him. We were both close to tears and he just said: ‘thank you’. It made my Christmas and that’s why I do what I do.”