Everton chairman Bill Kenwright, an acclaimed West End theatre and film producer, has died at the age of 78.
Kenwright had surgery to remove a cancerous tumour from his liver eight weeks ago.
He had been on the board at Everton since 1989, taking over as chairman at Goodison Park in 2004.
The Liverpudlian was also one of the UK’s most successful theatre producers and played Gordon Clegg in Coronation Street between 1968 and 2012.
Kenwright was awarded a CBE for his services to film and theatre in the 2001 New Years Honours List.
Everton said it was “in mourning” following the death of Kenwright, who was the club’s longest-serving chairman for more than a century.
“The club has lost a chairman, a leader, a friend, and an inspiration,” Everton added.