Coronation Street actor Paul Seed dies as tributes paid to TV Bafta winner

Coronation Street actor Paul Seed dies as tributes paid to TV Bafta winnerPaul Seed started off on Coronation Street in the 70s and 80s before becoming a renowned director of British TV dramas.Comments3amJamie Downham Associate Editor18:09, 07 Apr 2026Updated 18:18, 07 Apr 2026View 2 ImagesFormer Coronation Street star Paul Seed has died aged 78A former Coronation Street star and TV director behind some of Britain's best-known dramas has died, it has been revealed.‌Paul Seed began his career as an actor in the 1970s playing the role of Father Harris in Corrie, appearing between 1979 and 1981. During his time on the soap he officiated the marriage of Helen Worth's character Gail and Christopher Quinten's Brian.‌The character also oversaw the christening of their son Nick Tilsley at the fictional St. Boniface Church in Lower Broughton, the real-life suburb of Salford that was used for many years for the opening titles.‌The Guardian reports that Devon-born Paul died of cancer aged 78 on 7 March and is survived by his wife Elizabeth Cassidy, who he met while working on the BBC police drama Z Cars, and their two sons, Jack and Sean.View 2 ImagesActor and TV director Paul Seed has died, it has been reportedREAD MORE: EastEnders legend Michelle Collins posts from hospital in a wheelchair after nasty injuryREAD MORE: Katie Price 'hurt by Kerry Katona after holiday row with friendship at risk'Paul left acting in the 1980s after completing the BBC's directors' course and went on to shape some of the biggest shows on TV from behind the camera. He became a hugely successful director of dramas, including the BBC political thriller House of Cards and ITV's A Touch of Frost and Doc Martin.‌His obituary recalls that not long after graduating he was offered his first telly drama, 1982's Too Late to Talk to Billy, which marked Kenneth Branagh’s first appearance on TV. He also directed a young Liam Neeson the following year in Across the Wa...