EastEnders star who played one of soap’s most popular characters leaves family huge sum in will
EASTENDERS actor Bill Treacher, who died aged 92 last year, left an estate of more than £500,000 to his wife and family.
The veteran actor was one of the BBC soap’s original cast members and played Arthur Fowler from 1985 until 1996.
Treacher lived in Suffolk with his Australian actress Katherine Kessey, with whom he had two kids.
In 2015, he revealed he was suffering from ataxia, a disorder that can affect co-ordination, balance and speech.
The disease robbed the EastEnders legend of his ability to walk, effectively putting an end to his acting career for good.
First he needed a walking stick, then a frame before being forced to use a wheelchair to get around.
Treacher appeared in EastEnders until 1996, when his troubled character was in prison for a crime he did not commit.
He won critical acclaim for his portrayal of Fowler’s mental problems and nervous breakdown.
Figures released by the probate office show he left an estate of £504,676.10 after his death from Covid and pneumonia in November 2022.
Born in Hackney, London, in 1940 as one of eight children, he was evacuated to Gloucestershire during the Second World War, and after national service with the Royal Air Force, he worked for P&O, and managed to save enough money to send himself to drama school.
He played theatre roles in successful West End productions before moving into television where he had parts in Bless This House, The Professionals, Dixon of Dock Green, Z-Cars and Grange Hill.
The veteran actor also had roles in The Sweeney starring Denis Waterman, Dad’s Army, The Bill, and Casualty.
Treacher, who lived in Ipswich, appeared in films including Tale of the Mummy, and on the radio, and in an ads for Austin Allegro cars, Colgate toothpaste, and Foster’s Lager.
In his will, he left his estate on trust for his widow, and children Jamie and Sophie.
He named his grandchildren as some of the discretionary beneficiaries who could inherit from his estate at the discretion of his executors and trustees, who are his widow and children, and a solicitor.