Acclaimed theatre producer Bill Kenwright has sadly passed away following a long illness aged 78, it has been announced.

Also a venue owner and director (and even former Everton FC chairman), Kenwright has been a big name in UK theatre over the last fifty years, having been responsible for many productions including Blood Brothers and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and more recently Heathers the Musical and My Son’s A Queer (But What Can You Do?).

Kenwright also won four Tony Awards for his transfer of A Doll’s House starring Janet McTeer, and Medea featuring Diana Rigg.

Our thoughts are with Bill’s family and friends at this difficult time.