Coronation Street star Lynne Verrall has passed away after a battle with motor neurone disease. Lynne enjoyed a successful career on both screen and stage, spanning more than five decades.<\/p>\n
She landed the role of Geraldine Spellman in 2017, introduced as the grandmother to Summer Spellman (Harriet Bibby).<\/p>\n
The actress died in Paris on November 8. A French fundraising page has been created in her memory to support the fight against motor neurone disease.<\/p>\n
It says: “Our dear friend Lynne faced MND with her trademark wit and courage \u2014 and even in the toughest moments, she never lost her spark (or her sense of humour).<\/p>\n
\u201cIn true Lynne fashion, she even left a gift in her will to ARSLA, the MND association here in Paris, to help others facing this awful illness.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you\u2019d like to honour her memory \u2014 and give this disease the middle finger (ARSLA\u2019s brilliant campaign slogan!) \u2014 you might consider a small donation to support their work.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can just imagine Lynne laughing at that and saying, \u2018that\u2019s the spirit \u2014 don\u2019t make a fuss, but thank you, darling.'”<\/p>\n
Lynne’s agent Samantha Boyd said: \u201cLynne was always ready to try any role, to grow and learn and develop. She embraced life to the full,\u201d The Stage<\/a> has reported.<\/p>\n Lynne grew up in Wellington, Shropshire and trained at the Birmingham School of Acting. After graduating, she kickstarted her career in theatre, touring with the New Shakespeare Company as as understudy for Celia in As You Like It.<\/p>\n She later became one of the original acting members of Pentabus, a Midlands-based touring company founded by Sue Dunderdale in 1974.<\/p>\n Lynne also starred in Joe Penhall\u2019s Pale Horse at London\u2019s Royal Court before working with Clean Break theatre company in 2005. In 2012, she was cast as Anna in Carrie Cracknell\u2019s acclaimed revival of A Doll\u2019s House at London\u2019s Young Vic.<\/p>\n The same year, she relocated to Paris and starred in a number of French short films.<\/p>\n Lynne had a number of TV roles throughout her career, appearing in shows such as The Bill, Holby City, Doctors, Vera and EastEnders<\/a>. She made 13 appearances as Geraldine Spellman in Coronation Street<\/a> between 2017 and 2018.<\/p>\n In 2023, Lynne landed the role of Kelly Reilly\u2019s mother in the comedy\u2013drama Greek Salad, hired by French director C\u00e9dric Klapisch<\/p>\n Shortly after filming came to an end, Lynne was diagnosed with motor neurone disease.<\/p>\n Paying tribute to her lifelong friend, Sue said Lynne faced motor neurone disease with remarkable bravery<\/p>\n She said: “She faced it with incredible courage. She was extraordinary. She remained in Paris because she\u2019d been happy there. She created this wonderful persona of an eccentric, charming Englishwoman.\u201d<\/p>\n Sue added: \u201cShe was a fantastic actor but never got the recognition she deserved.\u201d<\/p>\n This is a breaking showbiz story, the \/showbiz<\/a> team will be updating this story with the latest information as soon as we receive it. For further updates, please refresh the page<\/p>\n You can also get email updates on the day\u2019s biggest TV stories straight to your inbox by signing up for our newsletters.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n Get all the very best headlines, pictures, opinion and video on the day\u2019s top showbiz stories by following Express.co.uk<\/a> every time you see our name.<\/p>\n Follow Express on Google News – CLICK HERE<\/a><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Follow Express on Apple News –_ CLICK HERE_<\/a>_ available on Apple devices_<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Follow Express on _Flipboard – _CLICK HERE<\/a> and click follow<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n You can also sign up for Twitter alerts for breaking news and all the latest updates by following @\u200cDaily_Express<\/a>, or for the latest TV and showbiz news, follow @\u200cexpressceleb<\/a><\/p>\n Keep up-to-date with your must-see TV stories, features, videos and pictures throughout the day by following us on Facebook at <\/p>\n\n