Bill Kenwright cared deeply for city, mayor says

Bill Kenwright spent 19 seasons as Everton chairman

Everton chairman Bill Kenwright was a "dedicated" man who "cared deeply about the people in our area", Liverpool's city region mayor has said.

The acclaimed West End theatre and film producer, who had been on the board at the football club since 1989, has died at the age of 78.

Steve Rotheram said he was "incredibly sad to hear of Bill's passing".

"Bill's support to Hillsborough families will always be appreciated," he added.

"My thoughts are with Bill's family, friends and everyone at the club."

Mr Rotheram is among local figures paying tribute to Kenwright, who spent 19 seasons as Everton chairman.

Liverpool City Council leader Liam Robinson said Kenwright had shown "how football can be a force for good and realise we are better united".

"Bill Kenwright was not just a fan and chairman of Everton, he played a pivotal role in how the club supported Liverpool fans throughout the fight for truth and justice for Hillsborough."

Steve Rotheram said Kenwright had been dedicated to Everton and the wider area

Posting on X, the Unity Theatre in Liverpool said he was "for many years a cherished patron of Unity and his support for this venue was unwavering".

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.

On 12 October, the Premier League club said Kenwright had a cancerous tumour removed from his liver six weeks before.

The Liverpudlian was also one of the UK's most successful theatre producers and played Gordon Clegg in Coronation Street between 1968 and 2012.

Laura Nuttall's mother Nicola Nuttall said Kenwright had made a huge donation to her daughter's treatment

Kenwright was awarded a CBE for his services to film and theatre in the 2001 New Years Honours List.

The mother of bucket list fundraiser Laura Nuttall, who died in May at the age of 23, also paid tribute after Kenwright had made a donation to cover her treatment.

Nicola Nuttall said: "We kept this quiet at the time, but when Laura was first having treatment in Germany for brain cancer, Bill Kenwright donated £50k to make it possible.

"No fuss, no publicity, just genuine kindness from a real gentleman and a true blue."

"Rest in peace Bill and thank you."

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