The widow of comedian and Coronation Street actor Roy Hudd is campaigning for a statue to be built outside of his favourite theatre, MailOnline can reveal.
Roy, who played recurring character Archie Shuttleworth on Corrie between 2002 and 2010, died in 2020 at age 83.
Now, Debbie Hudd is fighting for a sculpture in Roy’s likeness to be built outside the Theatre Royal in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.
She has so far raised almost £60,000 of her £95,000 target.
Debbie told MailOnline: ‘This statue will be a way of saying: ‘Thank you Roy, for your talent, generosity, and love’. A lasting monument of a man who brought laughter to the world.
The widow of comedian and Coronation Street actor Roy Hudd is campaigning for a statue to be built outside his favourite theatre, MailOnline can reveal
Roy, who played recurring character Archie Shuttleworth on Corrie between 2002 and 2010, died in 2020 at age 83 (pictured in 2002 with co-star Sue Nicholls (Audrey Roberts)
‘Sadly, Roy died on the 15th March 2020, just before the very first lockdown. There was no opportunity to celebrate this wonderful man who gave so much in so many ways throughout his life.’
To make the statue, Debbie has enlisted Sean Hedges-Quinn, the man behind the bronze statue of England football manager Sir Alf Ramsey, who led the 1966 World Cup team to victory.
Sean, 56, said: ‘You could have knocked me down with a feather the day I received the phone call from Debbie.
‘She’d been looking for a sculptor and explained why she wanted me to create Roy’s statue, saying: ‘When a sculptor is asked to make a statue usually they haven’t met the subject’.
‘But Roy and I had met so she thought I would be able to capture his personality.
‘I am absolutely thrilled and delighted to have been asked to be the sculptor entrusted with creating a fitting memorial to the entertainment legend that is Roy Hudd.
‘A lovely, intelligent and funny man who I was very fortunate to have met at the unveiling of my Gracie Fields statue in 2018.’
Debbie writes alongside the fundraiser: ‘There was a little less laughter in the world when Roy Hudd died in 2020. He brought so much pleasure, to so many of all ages through his work as a performer.
‘Throughout his 64 year career he never forgot his roots and how hard times had been for him and his gran, (who never complained) as a boy growing up in Croydon.
‘He always wanted to do something for those who, for whatever reason, needed a little help. Not only did he donate to many charities, the likes of Barnardo’s, Shelter, Cancer UK, and The Dog Trust, to name but a few. But he gave what I think was his most treasured asset, his time.
Now, Debbie Hudd is fighting for a sculpture in Roy’s likeness to be built outside the Theatre Royal in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk (pictured with would-be sculptor Sean Hedges-Quinn)
Sean, 56, is known for creating the bronze statue of England football manager Sir Alf Ramsey, who led the 1966 World Cup team to victory, outside the Portman Road Stadium in Ipswich
‘Whether it be putting on a show or turning up to an event to help raise funds. He would always say, ‘We’re privileged to be doing a job we love, if we can use it to help others, well that’s marvelous’.
‘He gave joy to others all his working life, so I would love us to be able to show our appreciation for a kind, generous and talented man by raising money for a statue of Roy in Bronze.
‘Not high up on a pedestal, that certainly wasn’t Roy, he’ll be sitting on a bench where you can join him for your interval ice cream or gin and tonic, hopefully at The Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds, a theatre he loved, greeting new audiences for years to come.
‘Thank you, Debbie.’
Roy’s career spanned seven decades, starting out as a Butlin’s Redcoat and going on to do stand-up comedy and star in countless films, musicals, and plays.
He also hosted BBC Radio 2’s The News Huddlines for 26 years alongside his glittering showbiz career.
Roy was an authority on the history of music hall entertainment and made his final television appearance the year before his death as a patient in the BBC’s Casualty.
To donate to Debbie’s statue appeal, please visit https://www.theroyhuddstatueappeal.co.uk/donations
