William Rush

William Edward Rush (6 July 1994 – 17 December 2025) was an English actor and singer-songwriter. He was best known for portraying the role of Josh Stevenson in the BBC school-based drama series Waterloo Road (2009–2013). In 2016, Rush appeared as a contestant on the thirteenth series of The X Factor.

Early life William Edward Rush was born on 6 July 1994 in Bury, Greater Manchester, to Andrew and Debbie Rush. His mother is also an actress. He had an older sister and a brother.

Rush attended Bamford Academy and trained at the Manchester School of Acting.

Career Rush started his career in BBC's Grange Hill playing the role of Ali Duncan, before being given a small part in Channel 4's Shameless as a lad at an ice cream van. He also appeared in Drop Dead Gorgeous and The Street. From 2009 to 2012, he played Josh Stevenson in Waterloo Road and made a guest appearance the following year.

In 2016, Rush auditioned for series 13 of The X Factor and made it through to the six-chair challenge, the third of four elimination stages.

Death On 17 December 2025, Rush died at Salford Royal Hospital at the age of 31. His mother announced the news of his death on Instagram the following day.

Filmography +Television Year Title Role Notes 2007 Grange Hill Ali Duncan Recurring role; 6 episodes Shameless Lad 1 Series 2: Episode 1 The Street Jack Taylor Episode: "The Letter" 2009–2013 Waterloo Road Josh Stevenson Series regular; 69 episodes 2013 Casualty Stef Kelly Episode: "Cross Roads" 2014 Coronation Street Ian 1 episode Vera Ryan Darrow Episode: "On Harbour Street" 2016 The X Factor Himself Contestant; series 13 2017 Friday On My Mind George Young Miniseries; 2 episodesIn his final television appearance

+Radio Year Title Role 2010 Lost Boy Logan Andrew Logan 2011 Elidor Nicholas Watson