Derek Granger, one of the early producers on Coronation Street, has died at the age of 101.
He joined the team of the ITV soap in 1961, shortly after its December 1960 debut, and was instrumental in developing Elsie Tanner (Pat Phoenix) into one of the show's most iconic characters.
Granger famously then went on to make the TV miniseries Brideshead Revisited in the late '70s, winning seven BAFTAs and drawing critical acclaim for the lead performance of Laurence Olivier.
A statement from ITV said: "With great sadness the production team at Coronation Street and ITV Studios would like to send heartfelt condolences to Derek's family and friends."
Speaking about his time on Corrie recently, Granger said: "I had more fun doing that than anything else I've done in television.
"It's a God-like role, it's marvellous. You've got the power of life and death, love and sex."
Granger was previously in a civil partnership with interior designer Kenneth Partridge, who died in 2015 and had been his partner for 66 years.
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