ADAM Woodyatt has led EastEnders stars in paying tribute to show legend Bill Treacher after he passed away aged 92.
The veteran actor, who played Arthur Fowler, was one of the BBC soap's original cast members and appeared from 1985 until 1996.
On Tuesday, Bill's family confirmed that he died on Saturday night after suffering from declining health for some time.
A statement said: "The family of the actor Bill Treacher are sad to announce that Bill died late Saturday night, 5 November 2022.
"He was 92 years old and his health had been declining for some time. He was much loved by his wife, Kate, his son, Jamie and his daughter, Sophie.
"Bill was a brilliant actor and a wonderful husband and father, plus a very fine human being. He will be hugely missed."
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Now, EastEnders actor Adam, 54, who is best known for playing Ian Beale until 2021, has led his co-stars in paying tribute.
Adam told the BBC after hearing the shock news: "So many memories of working with Bill, most of them involving him making us corpse.
"He would get this twinkle in his eye, you’d start laughing and he never got the blame.
"I used to love it when he was trying to remember his lines in rehearsal and he would just blunder and bluster until the correct word came out."
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"Rest in peace Bill. I hope there are some roses up there for you to tend," he concluded his emotional tribute.
Todd Carty, who played Mark Fowler in the long-running soap, also paid tribute: "I absolutely loved working with [Bill]. He was not only an amazing actor but a kind and sincere man.
"My thoughts are with his family at this time. He’ll be sadly missed, I will never forget him. May he rest in peace."
Letitia Dean, who portrays Sharon Watts in EastEnders, agreed that Bill would be "greatly missed" by those who worked with him.
"Bill really was the life and soul of the set, he was an absolute joy to be around and always had a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye," she said.
"Bill was an utter professional, a wonderful man and he will be greatly missed. I’m sending all my love to his family."
Gillian Taylforth, who portrayed Kathy Beale, chimed in: "Bill was a wonderful, wonderful man who will be truly missed."
The BBC released a statement following the announcement of Bill's death, as the EastEnders team revealed their "great sadness".
The statement read: "It is with great sadness that we learnt of the passing of Bill Treacher. Bill created a much loved character in Arthur Fowler and, alongside Wendy Richard, they created an iconic family in the Fowlers who still remain at the heart of the show.
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"Bill left EastEnders in 1996 so it is a true testament to both he, and the character that he created in Arthur, that he is still thought of so fondly.
"Bill will always be remembered for his charm, sense of humour – with a smile that lit up the room – and more importantly as a family man who was devoted to his wife and children.
"Bill will forever be held in great affection by everyone at EastEnders and all those that loved watching him. Rest in peace Bill and thank you for the memories."
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