Producer Bill Kenwright dies aged 78

West End and touring theatre producer Bill Kenwright has died aged 78.

Kenwright was known as one of the UK theatre industry’s most prolific and successful producers of both plays and musicals. His long-running hits included more than 10,000 performances of Willy Russell’s musical Blood Brothers.

The producer’s death was announced this afternoon in a statement from his partner Jenny Seagrove and daughter Lucy Kenwright, which said Kenwright had passed away "peacefully" on Monday October 23, following "a long battle with illness".

It comes eight weeks after he had a cancerous tumour removed from his liver, which his football club Everton FC earlier this month had called a "completely successful" operation.

According to the Everton announcement, released on October 12, the club’s chairman had returned home from hospital after the surgery to "continue his recovery, which is expected to be lengthy but complete".

In today’s statement, Kenwright was remembered as a "beloved partner, father, grandfather and friend."

It continued: "Following a long battle with illness, Bill passed away peacefully last night, surrounded by his family and loved ones.

"Bill was driven by his passions and devoted his life to them; his deep love of theatre, film, music and his beloved Everton, and the families they created.

"He impacted the lives of thousands, whether that be through the launching of careers or his unending loyalty, generosity and unfaltering friendship and support.

"In a multi-award-winning career spanning six decades, Bill produced over 500 West End, Broadway, UK touring and international theatre productions, films and music albums. His impact on the arts industry has been profound.

"During his time as majority shareholder and chairman of Everton FC, Bill led the club through a period of unprecedented change in English football.

"We will remember him with huge love and admiration – the shows will of course go on, as he would have wished, and his towering legacy will continue.

"A celebration of Bill’s life and career will be announced in due course. At this very difficult time we ask for privacy and respect for Bill’s family and friends."

The Liverpool-born theatremaker, who was behind a 13-year tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, was more recently involved in the forthcoming Broadway transfer of Rob Madge’s My Son’s A Queer (But What Can You Do?). 

Kenwright began his career as a performer, and in 1968 landed the role of Gordon Clegg on ITV’s Coronation Street. He left acting behind to become a producer, landing the touring rights to Joseph in 1982.

The proud Liverpudlian helped revive the city’s struggling Liverpool Playhouse theatre in the 1990s, and alongside his stage work, produced 14 films, including 1991’s Stepping Out, starring Liza Minnelli.

His production of Ben Weatherill’s latest comedy, Frank and Percy at London’s The Other Palace, had in September extended its limited run until December 17.

Read the full obituary here.