EastEnders' icon leaves huge sum to family in will after tragic death
An original EastEnders star has made sure his wife and family are taken care of following his tragic death last year.
Bill Treacher, best known for playing Arthur Fowler on the BBC One soap, died aged 92 in November after being diagnosed with ataxia seven years prior. In a statement released by the family of the veteran actor, it was confirmed that he had been suffering from 'declining health' for some time before his passing.
It has now been revealed that Treacher's family will inherit his fortune of £504,676.1, according to figures released by the probate office. The Hackney native named his executors and trustees as his wife, Australian actress Katherine Kessey and their adult children, Jamie and Sophie, as well as a solicitor. His grandchildren have also been confirmed as some of the discretionary beneficiaries of his financial assets.
EastEnders stars Wendy Richard and Bill Treacher at the Chelsea Flower Show in 1992 (Mirrorpix)"I rang my agent and said, 'Tell Julia I'll do it'. She said, 'I already have.' As an actor it's hard to get regular work, it's not that sort of career," he said at the time.
Treacher also later revealed he didn't watch EastEnders after he'd departed, slamming the popular show as 'a load of old rubbish'.
He died of pneumonia on November 5, 2022, in a Suffolk hospital after being diagnosed with COVID-19. “Bill was a brilliant actor and a wonderful husband and father, plus a very fine human being," his family said in a statement following his death. "He will be hugely missed."
Bill Treacher has died aged 92 (Getty Images)An EastEnders spokesperson has also paid tribute to Treacher, hailing the iconic TV star for his legacy on the award-winning drama.
"It is with great sadness that we learnt of the passing of Bill Treacher," they said. "As one of our original cast members, Bill created a much-loved character in Arthur Fowler and, alongside Wendy Richard, they created an iconic family in the Fowlers who still remain at the heart of the show.
“Bill left EastEnders in 1996, so it is a true testament to both he and the character that he created in Arthur that he is still thought of so fondly.
“Bill will always be remembered for his charm, sense of humour – with a smile that lit up the room – and more importantly as a family man who was devoted to his wife and children."
These kinds words were echoed by Gillian Taylforth, who played Kathy Beale alongside Treacher on the beloved soap.
“I have so many happy memories of Bill, in fact we were only sharing stories of him at work the other day, about how he always had a sparkle in his eyes, usually before he mischievously set us off laughing during scenes," the 68-year-old said.
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