tragic

Bobby Knutt’s jumper went under the hammer for a good cause years after the the actor died in 2017

A colourful jumper worn by late Benidorm star Bobby Knutt has sold for nearly £500 at auction eight years after the actor’s sudden death. The pullover, which featured in the hit ITV sitcom, fetched £487 as part of a special costume auction organised by Benidorm creator Derren Litten.

The sale saw several fan-favourite pieces from the show go under the hammer, with proceeds going towards medical treatment for a close friend of Litten’s. Bobby Knutt starred as cheeky pensioner Eddie Dawson between series eight and ten of the popular comedy, which aired from 2007 to 2018. Benidorm became a cult favourite with British audiences thanks to its outrageous humour and funny depictions of holiday chaos at the fictional Solana resort.

Fans also snapped up other memorabilia from the show, including the Solana hotel-branded staff tabard, which sold for £422. A darts shirt worn by Johnny Vegas as Geoff ‘The Oracle’ Maltby sparked a bidding frenzy, reaching over £1,000 before being withdrawn.

Darren explained: “Sadly it was withdrawn as someone was bidding and retracting bids 30 or 40 times a day which, although I don’t understand eBay, is a method of bumping other bidders off the auction item. I will have to find another method of auctioning it. The vast majority sold to very happy buyers.”

The auction, which ran from May 25 to June 2, was set up to raise funds for Litten’s friend Leonard, who is battling Facial Fibrous Dysplasia. This is a rare and serious condition that can lead to blindness and severe disfigurement if left untreated.

Fans and castmates were shocked when they received the news that Bobby Knutt had died suddenly from heart failure in 2017 at the age of 71 while on holiday in France. At the time, Benidorm creator Derren Litten tweeted: “Very sad Benidorm news guys. The wonderful Bobby Knutt has passed away suddenly aged 71. Sending our Beni love to his family.”

Co-star Tony Maudsley, who played Kenneth in the series, added: “Take a bow Grandad Dawson. Your Benidorm family will miss you. RIP Bobby Knutt x.”

Knutt’s had a long and successful career, as he found fame early in life on The Comedians and went on to bag roles in Emmerdale, Coronation Street, and Last of the Summer Wine. In Emmerdale he played Albert Dingle for a decade, and later appeared in Corrie as garage boss Ron Sykes.

Off-screen he was also known for stage work, a stint doing comedy shows on cruise ships, and his role as the voice of Gaffer in the Tetley Tea adverts.

After his death, it was revealed that Knutt left much of his £350,000 estate to friends and his sister, while his four children received little or no inheritance. He asked to be buried with his third wife Donna Hartley-Wass, a former Olympian and champion bodybuilder who passed away in 2013.

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .

There has been speculation that one Coronation Street legend could make their return to the show for their son’s funeral

Coronation Street star Lisa George, who is best known as Beth Tinker on the long-running soap, left the show last year but fans have been speculating on her possible return for her on-screen son Craig’s (played by Colson Smith ) funeral. Last year, Lisa said: “As I filmed it I knew Beth was leaving and it was my final scene on the cobbles.

“Halfway through, when he called the cab to stop, and they got out I actually got really, quite tearful. I cried afterwards because it’s been this huge part of my life for such a long time.” Meanwhile, almost a year later, Beth’s police officer son died in brutal scenes on the ITV soap after a vicious attack at the hands of villain Mick Michaelis in the previous episode. Mick beat innocent Craig with a bat before leaving him for dead.

READ MORE: ‘Best teeth whitening I’ve tried’ slashed by 40%: ‘I’m nothing short of amazed’

Fans believe Lisa could be reprising her role but sources claimed the funeral will be taking place off screen, so Lisa wouldn’t be back on the show.

“Craig’s funeral will take place away from Weatherfield with Beth very much involved – but she won’t be back on screen,” they said to The Sun. “It will all make sense for the story and there’s a very touching goodbye to Craig from his friends in the community instead.”

The Mirror have reached out to ITV for comment. Meanwhile, after Craig was rushed to the hospital, his nearest and dearest had been hopeful that he would survive despite his horrific injuries, including swelling on the brain following the brutal attack.

Sadly, Craig tragically died, leaving Kirk Sutherland completely heartbroken as he rushed into the hospital room in floods of tears.

Colson, 26, recently opened up about the moment show boss Kate Brooks told him that the character was exiting the soap. “It feels like the end, and it’s great. It’s a bookmarked, signed, sealed, delivered sort of thing. It’s been nice to see it play out,” he said.

Speaking to Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard on This Morning, he went on to add: “When you get told you’re leaving a show, the one thing you ask is ‘Am I killed and how do I go?’ I wanted to be killed.

“I think that really was the right thing. I’ve been in that building since I was 12 years old. I know how it works; you pick up on vibes, you pick up on things.

“I told Jack and Ben, tonight’s the night, will you be there for me? I went up to the boss, and she said, ‘This isn’t going to be an easy conversation.’ I said, ‘Let’s get it out of the way.'”

Speaking about his meeting with Kate, he said: “Getting told is hard, hearing the words – I tried really hard not to put the words into her mouth. As soon as I knew, I was at peace with what was going on.”

Despite asking to be killed off from the soap, Colson admitted he had no idea how brutal it would be.

Follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.

READ MORE: Drivers can use number plate checker to see if they need to pay £150 DVLA car tax rise

AN ELECTRICIAN heroically smashed his way into a burning home to help save two people from a fire which killed a mum and three of her children.

Victor Pedra heard a dad crying and screaming “my children, my wife, my whole family is in there” at around 1.15am on Saturday.

7

7

7

7

He bravely ran towards the flames and broke a lower floor window to gain access to his neighbour’s house in Brent, west London.

The dad-of-two helped rescue a grandmother aged in her 70s, who has been released from hospital, and her teen granddaughter who remains in intensive care.

But a 43-year-old mum and her other three children aged 15, eight and four, all tragically died at the scene.

Victor, 33, said: “I heard the dad outside crying and screaming ‘my children, my wife, my whole family is in there’. He was in shock and couldn’t really speak.

“I had gone outside and saw people standing around watching these huge flames so I just knew I had to act. I cut my hand breaking the window.

“The grandmother and one of the daughters managed to get out safely. The only way they could escape was through the garden as the front door was blocked by the fire.

“The flames were so strong and there was smoke everywhere. I couldn’t get to the second floor where the mum and her youngest son was.

“I also had to wake up the people in the house next door before it caught fire as they were all sleeping and hadn’t realised.

“Firefighters managed to bring the mum and one of the sons out and attempted CPR for about an hour but it was no use.

“They also managed to bring the other son and eldest daughter out from the top floor but sadly it was too late for them. It was really tough to see.

“I couldn’t sleep that night as I just kept hearing the screams from inside the house.”

His partner Leticia Maria, 31, added: “I was speechless. One of the firefighters was my friend but I didn’t even recognise him from the shock.

“It all happened so quickly. The fire seemed to take hold instantly. It seemed like it started from the top down because it wasn’t as strong at the bottom.

“The little girl managed to escape and was covered in black stuff from the smoke. She looked about 12-years-old.

“No one knows what caused the fire but you could hear explosions like things were popping.

“All the children must have been sleeping at that time. It’s just such a tragedy.”

Brent councillor Tariq Dar MBE named Usman Ghani, known as Ozzy, as the man who lost his wife and three children in the tragic fire.

He wrote on Facebook: “It is with profound sadness that we share the heartbreaking news of the passing of the wife and three beloved children—a daughter and two young sons—of Brother Usman Ghani in a tragic house fire in Wembley last night.

“Please remember the entire family in your heartfelt duas during this incredibly difficult time.”

The Met Police arrested a 41-year-old man who remains in custody on suspicion of murder.

Firefighters were supervising today while specialist workers secured the terraced home so detectives can investigate safely.

Six bouquets of flowers and a large blue teddy bear were left at the large police cordon surrounding the estate near Wembley Stadium.

A friend who knew the family well said: “It’s very sad. They were such loving and friendly people and will be dearly missed by everyone.

“Usman would always give me good advice. If something ran out like my milk or eggs, I would always go and borrow from them and it would never be a problem.

“He bought this house and worked very hard in a warehouse through an agency. He used to be a bus driver but had to stop due to health issues.

“The family are practising Muslims and were originally from Pakistan when Usman’s parents moved here over 25 years ago. His dad died a couple of years ago.

“I would always see the kids playing outside. It’s making me tear up thinking I will never see them again now the family is broken.

“They had just started half term and it makes me really sad thinking they won’t be going back to school.”

7

7

7

CHILLING travel warnings have been issued for tourists visiting Turkey amid Brit mum Beth Martin’s mysterious death in Istanbul’s public hospital.

Ms Martin, 28, tragically died after suddenly falling ill during her dream holiday in the country.

8

8

8

She was rushed to a two-star-rated public hospital, where she is said to have taken her last breath and had her heart allegedly removed without any permission.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) warns that coroners in Turkey can take small tissue samples and organs for testing “without the family’s permission” under Turkish laws.

The advisory says that these orphans are usually returned before the person’s body is released.

However, Turkish authorities “might keep he body parts without permission in exceptional circumstances”, the foreign office warned.

The travel warning was placed before Ms Martin’s death and has nothing to do with her tragic case.

That’s because hospitals in Turkey have faced accusations of stealing organs and facilitating illegal transplants.

Meanwhile, the British government in its travel advisory warned tourists to be aware of medical treatments in the country.

The Foreign Office suggested that people visiting the country for medical tourism should exercise caution and discuss plans with a UK doctor beforehand.

The travel advisory reads: “We are aware of six British nationals having died in Turkey in 2024 following medical procedures.

“Some British nationals have also experienced complications and needed further treatment or surgery following their procedure.”

Ms Martin was wheeled to Marmara University Pendik Training and Research Hospital – a low-rated public hospital built on the outskirts of the Turkish capital.

After scrambling for an ambulance, she was finally admitted to the hospital, which offers Istanbul‘s International Patient Service serving foreign patients.

The doctors are understood to have checked her heart by performing an angiogram – a form of X-ray that shows blood vessels.

After doing the checks, the doctors told husband Luke they did not find anything suspicious.

However, Ms Martin was dead by the very next day – leaving Luke to explain the tragedy to their two young children, aged 8 and 5.

Her family claims they were left completely in the dark by Turkish authorities throughout the whole ordeal.

And sickeningly, once they finally got back to the UK with her body, a UK autopsy revealed her heart had been removed – without any prior consent or authorisation.

Marmara Pendik Hospital is now facing a negligence investigation over Ms Martin’s sudden death, according to Ms Martin’s family.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) is also making its own enquiries with local authorities, the Daily Mail reports.

8

The public hospital has a low rating on Google, averaging just two stars.

A website operated by the Istanbul Provincial Directorate of Health states that the hospital’s principles are “transparency and accountability [with] people at the focal point of the fairness of the health service that is excellent”.

The Sun has reached out to the hospital for comment.

Meanwhile, Luke told how he was then shocked when Turkish police initially accused him of poisoning and killing his wife after her shocking death.

She was being treated in intensive care, he said, before adding he was banned from seeing her.

Beth and Luke’s parents flew out the following day and were again kept in the dark.

They were then shocked to discover Beth had been transferred to another hospital overnight, due to “concerns with her heart”, with none of the family members informed.

Close friend Ellie, who travelled to Turkey to try and help, detailed her experience of what happened after Beth’s death.

She revealed that Beth was supposed to be transferred to a private clinic.

But the public hospital was slow to act and “stopped her” from doing so.

She told how the doctors were acting strangely.

Ellie explained: “All they went on about is ‘are you going to sue the hospital? Sign this bit of paper’.

8

8

8

“I said: ‘Is there something we should be suing for? Do you know something we don’t? Because that’s really suspicious.'”

The family, who have not been told her cause of death, claim they were also forced to carry Beth in a body bag through the hospital.

She blasted the hospitals, saying: “The insurance company wanted to move her to a private hospital but the public hospital in Istanbul were not cooperating, they were being slow and delaying reports and not sending information over.

“They stopped her.”

She noted how suspicious it was that Beth’s hair was in “perfect” shape despite the mum undergoing “45 minutes of CPR”.

She speculated: “They said they did 45 minutes of CPR but anyone who has ever had CPR or has seen CPR knows how brutal it is.

“When I saw Beth in the morgue after she had her hair in two French plaits and they were perfect.

“There is no way they did CPR for 45 minutes, I know that,” she defiantly stated.”

She added that medical reports rule out food poisoning as a cause of death, but they still do not confirm how exactly the mum died.

8

THIS is the butter knife that led cops to pepper-spray and Taser a tragic amputee as he sat in his wheelchair, a court heard.

PC Stephen Smith and PC Rachel Comotto are accused of assaulting Donald Burgess at Park Beck Residential Care Home in St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex.

6

6

6

6

The officers had been called to the residence after the 92-year-old poked a worker in the stomach with a butter knife, jurors heard.

A picture has now been released of the knife, which was specially adapted so the pensioner could eat his food.

Bodycam showed Donald clutching the blade while sat in his wheelchair when Smith and Comotto entered his room.

PC Smith can be heard saying: ‘Put it down mate. Come on, Donald, don’t be silly.

“We can solve it without having to resort to this…Do as you’re told.”

He then “emptied all or almost all of his canister” of pepper spray in Donald’s face, Southwark Crown Court was told.

The footage also showed Smith making his way towards the pensioner with his baton extended before striking him.

Comotto then deploys her Taser as Donald screams out in pain before the officers took the knife from him.

Jurors heard the pair used “unjustified and unlawful” force just 83 seconds into entering the one-legged pensioner’s room.

The officers were later seen joking about the shocking incident, it was said.

In separate bodycam, Comotto is seen laughing and asking Smith: “Oh my God, is there any left in your can?”

Smith replies: “Probably not.”

The court heard Donald suffered from multiple health conditions including diabetes and carotid artery disease.

He was taken to hospital after the incident and died 22 days later after contracting Covid.

Jurors heard police had been called to the care home on June 21, 2022, after Donald was seen poking a care worker in the stomach with a knife after flicking food at her.

He allegedly threatened staff with the blade and told them he would take plasure in murdering them.

Managers wheeled him back to his room and tried for 30 minutes to calm him down before calling 999.

The officers were dispatched under a grade one call, meaning it was treated as the highest level of emergency.

Jurors were told the care home specialised in support for people with dementia but Donald had been diagnosed with the disease.

Prosecutor Paul Jarvis KC said: “I want to make it clear – these defendants are not responsible for his death.

“He was an elderly gentleman who was unwell.”

But he added: “The force used was unnecessary and excessive in the circumstances.

“The defendants assaulted Mr Burgess, causing actual bodily harm.”

Smith, 51, denies two counts of assault by using Pava spray and a baton, and Comotto denies one charge of assault by discharging her Taser.

The trial continues.

6

6

Eileen Grimshaw will soon be departing Coronation Street, and now the character is at the centre of a death storyline on the ITV soap after her sister Julie Carp died

There was a worrying twist on Coronation Street on Wednesday night ahead of a looming exit on the ITV soap.

Eileen Grimshaw faced distressing accusations days on from the death of her sister Julie Carp. Julie, who had been diagnosed with terminal cancer, passed away during a trip to the lake with her sister.

After leaving messages and appearing to say her goodbyes, she asked Eileen to go to the refreshment van. But when Eileen returned she realised Julie had died.

On Wednesday night things took a turn when Eileen found herself being accused of helping Julie to end her own life. Brian Packham had made the accusation to the police and soon other residents were wondering what happened.

Suspicions were raised after Julie’s nephew Todd Grimshaw first questioned why Julie seemed to know she was going to die that day, with the videos she recorded and the fact she seemed to be saying goodbye to people. Then on Wednesday we saw Brian and Mary Taylor head to Julie and Eileen’s house.

The pair decided they would return Julie’s wheelchair and any unused painkillers to the hospital. But when they went to the house they made an alarming discovery.

READ MORE: Emmerdale summer spoilers: Dylan returns, Aidan ‘wakes up’ and sad Bear twist

He noted it as being “strange”, before confiding in others later on that Julie’s medication was all gone. He suggested there should be plenty left, and that Eileen’s own painkillers were in her bag too, while this was empty.

He said: “Julie should have had enough medication to last her a week at least. Where did it all go? Unless she took it, all of it.” As Brian was asked if he was implying Julie had taken an overdose to end her life, he said this was exactly what he thought.

He then questioned whether Eileen knew about it and maybe even helped Julie, telling the others that she had been with her sister and they were insistent no one else joined them at the lake. Soon enough Brian reported Eileen and his discovery to the police.

PC Craig Tinker then asked to speak with Eileen down at the police station leaving her mortified, and leaving her neighbours gossiping. She was questioned by DS Lisa Swain, who asked her if Julie had shared her possible intentions to end her own life.

She also asked whether Eileen had assisted her sister with her plan, whether she was directly involved or not. A tearful Eileen was horrified over the questioning, and the suggestion that she may be charged with murder.

Eileen revealed that Julie had asked her to go and get her a cup of tea, and when she returned Julie was dead. She repeated there was no indication from Julie about what might happen.

She told Lisa: “If you’re implying I helped her do it, that I’d seriously leave her on her own to die, that I wouldn’t be by her side holding hand, telling her how much she was loved.” It’s then that Lisa warned her she could face 14 years in prison if she helped Julie or gave her her painkillers knowing her intentions.

Eileen protested: “I did not kill my sister.” Back home, she told her partner George Shuttleworth: “I can’t believe she didn’t think of the consequences, she has involved me, why couldn’t she just leave another tape explaining.

“Now I’m going to get charged for her murder, for killing my own flesh and blood.” Viewers will no doubt be fearing it will lead to a heartbreaking exit for Eileen, as actress Sue Cleaver has already filmed her final scenes.

Speaking about her departure earlier this year, Sue commented: “I’ve had 25 privileged years of working on Coronation Street. The door is still firmly open but as I reached my 60th year I decided it was time to embrace change, look for new adventures and live fearlessly.”

Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 and ITV X. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .