Original Eastenders star Bill Treacher left his family more than £500,000 in his will after he sadly died aged 92 in November last year.
According to figures released by the probate office Mr Treacher – best known for playing Arthur Fowler – made sure his family would be well looked after following his passing.
His wife Australian actress Katherine Kessey, 77, their children Jamie and Sophie, and his grandchildren are to share the inherited fortune of £504,676.1.
After his death, his family described him as ‘a brilliant actor and a wonderful husband and father, plus a very fine human being’.
He was married to his wife Katherine for more than 50 years and spent the last 18 years of his life ‘happily retired’ in Suffolk.
Eastenders star Bill Treacher pictured with his wife Australian actress Katherine Kessey
Actor Bill Treacher, from Dagenham, Essex, starred in the soap opera from the very first episode in 1985 until 1996 as Arthur Fowler
His wife Katherine Kessey, their children Jamie and Sophie, and his grandchildren are to share the inherited fortune of £504,676.1
Mr Treacher starred in the soap opera from the very first episode in 1985 until 1996 – making him the eighth-longest serving actor in the history of the program.
He starred as the allotment-loving patriarch of the Fowler family, married to Pauline Fowler played by Wendy Richard.
The character faced plenty of drama throughout his years in Albert Square, including false imprisonment and a scandalous affair, before dying of a brain haemorrhage in 1996.
One of his most memorable scenes was in the second 1986 Christmas Day episode, when his character had a breakdown after he was caught stealing money.
He received widespread acclaim for his performance portraying the decline of his character’s mental health ‘at a time when mental health issues weren’t really discussed’.
But he said the gruelling schedule and long working hours were negatively impacting his health, and doctors warned if he didn’t start relaxing more ‘it would kill him’.
Following his exit from the show, Mr Treacher went on to star in films such as the Tale of the Mummy, The Musketeers, and George and the Dragon. He also played characters in ITV’s The Bill, Dad’s Army and Casualty.
Mr Treacher’s family said his health had been ‘declining for some time’ after he was diagnosed with ataxia, a disorder that can affect co-ordination, balance and speech, in 2015.
He starred alongside Wendy Richard as husband and wife from the very first episode of EastEnders in February 1985 (pictured together)
He was married Australian actress wife, Katherine Kessey (pictured together at their wedding) , and the couple lived out their retirement in Suffolk
Bill Treacher received widespread acclaim for his performance portraying the decline of his character’s mental health ‘at a time when mental health issues weren’t really discussed’
Mr Treacher starred as the allotment-loving patriarch of the Fowler family, married to Pauline Fowler played by Wendy Richard
As a result of the neurological condition, Treacher was relying on a wheelchair and had retired from acting.
He died of pneumonia on November 5, 2022 in a Suffolk hospital.
Following his death an Eastenders spokesperson said: ‘Bill left EastEnders in 1996, so it is a true testament to both he and the character that he created in Arthur that he is still thought of so fondly.
‘Bill will always be remembered for his charm, sense of humour – with a smile that lit up the room – and more importantly as a family man who was devoted to his wife and children.’
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