Jason Manford leads celebrity tributes to Bill Kenwright after his death aged 78: ‘Always funny and honest and with a deep love for theatre and football’

• Everton have confirmed that club chairman Bill Kenwright has died aged 78 

Jason Manford has led the tributes to ‘always funny and honest’ theatre and film producer Bill Kenwright, saying that he will be ‘sadly missed’ by all.

The comedian spoke of the producer’s ‘love’ for theatre and football in a post to X, formerly Twitter. He said: ‘Saddened to hear Bill Kenwright has died.

‘Met up with him several times over the years as we attempted to work together so very sad that will now never happen. Was always funny and honest and with a deep love for theatre and football. Will be sadly missed.’

The Everton chairman died at the age of 78 following his battle with cancer. He passed away peacefully on Monday night, surrounded by his family and loved ones. 

Celebrities including Sir Ian McKellen and Julian Clary have paid tribute to the star who throughout his life became one of the country’s leading theatre producers.

Jason Manford has led the tributes to ‘always funny and honest’ theatre and film producer Bill Kenwright, saying that he will be ‘sadly missed’ by all. Mr Kenwright is pictured in July 2021

Comedian and actor Julian Clary said he would be ‘forever grateful’ to Mr Kenwright

Celebrities including Sir Ian McKellen and Julian Clary have paid tribute to the star who throughout his life became one of the country’s leading theatre producers

Singer Antony Costa, known for being a member of boyband Blue, also posted a tribute on X

Also paying tribute to the theatre giant was comedian and actor Mr Clary, who said he would be ‘forever grateful’ to Mr Kenwright

Sir Ian, 84, who starred in 2023 film The Critic – co-produced by Mr Kenwright, penned a tribute to the football chair on X. He said: ‘Bill Kenwright (1945-2023) Like many grateful actors I am in debt to Bill Kenwright for employment.’

‘We were young together, when he was in Coronation Street (as Gordon Clegg) and I was dipping a toe into Shaftesbury Avenue.

‘He seemed to have known everyone in the business and to care about them. Yet every chat would veer round to his equal passion – Everton football.

He added: ‘The city that gave us The Beatles and two major football teams, also bred a unique impresario. Whether the West End lights will be turned off in his memory, certainly our business will be dimmer now he has gone.’

Also paying tribute to the theatre giant was comedian and actor Mr Clary, who said he would be ‘forever grateful’ to Mr Kenwright.

He said: ‘RIP Bill Kenwright. I’m forever grateful to him for giving me the chance to play the Emcee in Cabaret at the Lyric Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue in 2007.

‘After the first night he said to me ‘You’re so brave…so brave!”

Meanwhile singer Antony Costa, known for being a member of boyband Blue, also posted to X and said: ‘Just heard the news my friend, and mentor and the person who gave me the chance to perform on stage Mr Bill Kenwright has passed away.

‘You were one in a million Sir… we loved talking football R.I.P Bill xx’

Meanwhile singer Antony Costa, known for being a member of boyband Blue, also posted to X and said: ‘Just heard the news my friend, and mentor and the person who gave me the chance to perform on stage Mr Bill Kenwright has passed away. 

Bill Kenwright was a lifelong Evertonian and had been on the club’s board since 1989

The director with Andrew Lloyd Webber at a party following the press night for Whistle Down The Wind at the Hilton Green Park in 2006 

Kenwright playing Gordon Clegg in Coronation Street alongside Jennifer Moss as Lucille Hewitt 

The producer with stage and screen star Virginia Stride in 1971. He had one daughter with her her and two grandchildren

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham described Mr Kenwright as ‘big hearted’. The producer is pictured during the 59th Berlin International Film Festival at the Grand Hyatt Hotel on February 10, 2009

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham described Mr Kenwright as ‘big hearted’ and spoke about his reaction to the Hillsborough disaster where dozens were killed due to a crush at a match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield on April 15, 1989.

Speaking outside Old Trafford today, he said: ‘I saw the care he had for the Hillsborough families when they were going through everything that they went through.

‘That was Bill Kenwright. Before people think about anything else, that was him, that was the man, just somebody of warmth, of generosity.’

British theatrical producer Sir Cameron Mackintosh called Kenwright ‘prolific’ and ‘irresistible’.

In a statement, Sir Cameron said: ‘The world of British theatre without Bill Kenwright seems impossible.’

He added: ‘Bill was fearless, prolific and irresistible – he couldn’t bear to see any theatre empty, so he’d conjure up a production almost overnight to fill it!

‘His enthusiasm knew no bounds, employing over his long career tens of thousands of actors – occasionally, including himself – a tireless broadcaster, often also a director and above all, a champion of the people he believed in.

‘And the theatre wasn’t even his day job – his real profession was running Everton!

‘In my lifetime, there has never been anyone like Bill. He’s totally irreplaceable and we will miss him so.’

Theatre and film production company Bill Kenwright Limited said in a statement published on Tuesday that he had died following a ‘long battle with illness’ and ‘passed away peacefully last night’. 

Tributes have flooded in for Mr Kenwright, who made his breakthrough in the acting industry at the age of 18. He was cast in Granada TV’s ‘The Villains’, before appearing in several West End musicals

Mr Kenwright was on stage at the Liverpool Playhouse by the age of 12, attending the Liverpool Institute high school at the same time as Paul McCartney and George Harrison and touring local pubs and clubs with his RnB band, The Chevrolets. 

But he made his breakthrough in the acting industry at the age of 18. He was cast in Granada TV’s ‘The Villains’, before appearing in several West End musicals. 

In 1968, Mr Kenwright was asked to join the cast of Coronation Street, but decided to leave to soap at the conclusion of his 12 month contract. 

Mr Kenwright instead transitioned into theatre production with his company Bill Kenwright Ltd becoming one of the most prolific in the world. 

He went on to work with Tim Rice and Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber on Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Jesus Christ Superstar and Evita and produced Willy Russell’s long running hit West End show Blood Brothers.

His films include Cheri directed by Stephen Frears starring Michelle Pfeiffer; The Day After the Fair; Stepping Out; Don’t Go Breaking My Heart; Sundance Festival award winner Die Mommie Die; and The Purifiers. 

The producer was honoured with a London Theatre Critics’ Award for West Side Story at the Shaftesbury Theatre, while he received a Tony Award for Blood Brothers on Broadway.

Mr Kenwright was also awarded a CBE for his services to film and theatre in the 2001 New Years Honours List. 

Mr Kenwright instead transitioned into theatre production with his company Bill Kenwright Ltd becoming one of the most prolific in the world. Today he is being remembered for his contributions to the theatre and film industry

The legendary theatre producer also forged a love affair with Everton FC from an early age, inspired by his idol, the centre forward Dave Hickson. 

He had been on the board at Goodison Park since 1989 and was made deputy chairman after buying a 68 per cent majority share of the club from Peter Johnson in 1999. He succeeded Sir Phillip Carter as Everton chairman in 2004.

A year later the Toffees secured a place in the Champions League qualifiers under the guidance of manager David Moyes.

He was persuaded to stay on in the role earlier this year by Farhad Moshiri, who had bought much of Mr Kenwright’s stake in 2016. His stake eventually fell to 1.3 per cent back in 2018.

Mr Kenwright had become an unpopular figure with large sections of the club’s supporters amid Everton’s struggles on the pitch.

He published an open letter to fan groups earlier this year, denying claims his health issues had impacted the running of the club.

Everton chairman Bill Kenwright, pictured with his long-term partner actress Jenny Seagrove, has died at the age of 78 

Kenwright in 1978 with his ex wife, the New Zealand actress Anouska Hempel

Kenwright sold his majority stake in Everton to Farhad Moshiri in 2016 but remained chairman

Kenwright been instrumental in the running of Everton, and is pictured announcing Roberto Martinez as the club’s manager in 2013

Everton had confirmed that up until his surgery in August, Mr Kenwright had continued to carry out club duties.

This included working alongside billionaire businessman Farhad Moshiri to facilitate the proposed takeover by the investment group 777 Partners and supporting the club’s football director Kevin Thelwell with its summer transfer activity.

Mr Kenwright been in a relationship with the actress Jenny Seagrove since 1994, following a two-year marriage to actress and interior designer Anouska Hempel. 

He is survived by one daughter from a previous relationship with stage and screen star Virginia Stride, as well as two grandchildren.

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