CORONATION Street star John Savident is going into hospital to have a heart operation, he revealed today.
The veteran actor, who plays butcher Fred Elliott, gave the news during a live TV appearance this morning.
Guernsey-born John, 68, has already filmed his final scenes in Weatherfield – with Fred suffering a fatal heart attack.

Asked on BBC1’s Saturday Kitchen what he would be doing next, the Corrie favourite spoke about his role alongside Suranne Jones in this year’s Manchester Opera House panto – Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

He then continued, “After that is a heart operation. I’m having a new valve put in. I’m bored with the old one, so I’m going to have this new one.
“And then later on in the year, after I’ve recovered from this plastic valve thing, then I’m going to be doing a tour, playing Hobson in Hobson’s Choice, the great British classic play.
“But the pantomime’s first and I’m a bit worried about that. I’m playing somebody called Herman the Henchman. Don’t ask, I haven’t read the script yet.”
Former police officer John said farewell to Fred earlier this month when he shot those final scenes. He announced his decision to quit last December, for “personal reasons”.
This Monday’s double episode sees Audrey (Sue Nicholls) confess her true feelings to Fred when she tells the Rovers owner she wished she’d accepted his marriage proposal all those years ago.

Her admission throws Fred into turmoil, just seven days before he’s due to wed Bev (Susie Blake).
When the big day arrives, he is torn between his feelings for the two women. But then tragedy strikes in the shape of that heart attack, in scenes to be screened a week on Monday.
John was the celebrity guest on today’s edition of Saturday Kitchen, hosted by top chef and Strictly Come Dancing star James Martin.
When James asked when viewers would see his screen death, John said he had no idea, adding, “No they haven’t seen it. They’ve got a thrill to come.”
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