Coronation Street and Emmerdale 'star maker' David Johnson dies as ITV stars pay tribute
dailystar.co.ukCoronation Street and Emmerdale stars have paid tribute to "starmaker" David Johnson following the news of his tragic death.He helped kickstart the careers of a host of award-winning actors from the Manchester area.Mr Johnson founded Oldham Theatre Workshop aged 15 back in 1968 and it quickly became Europe's biggest youth theatre company.He set up the organisation aged 15 and offered free programmes for local youngsters.Several soap stars learned under his leadership including Suranne Jones, Michael Le Vell, Lisa Riley and the late Anne Kirkbride.Some famous faces have taken to social media to pay tribute to David.Antony Cotton, who plays Sean Tully in the ITV soap penned: "Just heard the saddest news.
David Johnson who was the director of the phenomena that was Oldham Theatre Workshop, has died."He put so many of us on the map, and kick started so many careers, both on stage and off."So many of us owe him so much.
I’m absolutely gutted. He formed my childhood so profoundly, and in turn - my adult life too. Those years were the best years of my life.
Rest in Power David. You were the best x."He later shared a picture of David and wrote alongside: "This is David Johnson. He formed my childhood so profoundly, and in turn - my adult life too. "Those years were the best years of my life.
Read more on dailystar.co.uk
