William Rush, best known for playing Waterloo Road fan-favourite Josh Stevenson, has died at the age of 31.
The heartbreaking news was shared by his mother, actor Debbie Rush, who posted a tribute saying their family is completely broken.
Rush became a familiar face to UK TV audiences through Waterloo Road, where he played Josh from 2009 to 2013.
For many viewers, Josh wasn’t just another character in a school drama.
He was a coming-of-age figure who felt real, messy, and deeply human.
A role that mattered to LGBTQ+ viewers
Waterloo Road has always been the kind of show that goes there, and Josh’s storylines were part of why the series stuck with so many people.
For queer viewers especially, characters like Josh can be the first time you see a version of yourself on mainstream TV that isn’t a punchline.
It’s why the reaction online has been so emotional, even from people who haven’t watched the show in years.
Sometimes a character lives in your memory as a specific time in your life, and losing the actor behind it hits differently.
“Hope and life to other families”
In her tribute, Debbie Rush also shared that William was an organ donor.
She described it as him giving hope and life to other families, even in the middle of unimaginable grief.
It’s the kind of detail that stops you in your tracks, because it says something about the person he was, not just the roles he played.
Holding space for his family and everyone who loved him
At moments like this, it’s easy for the internet to turn grief into noise, but this deserves quiet respect.
William Rush was someone’s son, someone’s friend, someone’s co-worker, and to many people, a meaningful part of their TV adolescence.
Our thoughts are with his family, loved ones, and all the fans who are feeling this loss today.
Rest in peace, William. 🕯️
📷 IG: @ debbierush / bbc