Savident was stabbed in 2000
John Savident began to tire of life in the spotlight after he was stabbed at his Manchester flat in December 2000.
He had invited back Michael Smith, 30 - later jailed for seven years over the attack - to talk about theatre after they met in a nightclub.
"I suddenly felt somebody come up behind me and whizz me round so I was face down on the bed and then I felt a prick on my throat," Savident said at the time.
Savident then yearned to spend more time with his wife, children and grandchildren back home in Hertfordshire.
Who was John Savident?
Born in the Channel Islands, Savident was a cop before becoming an actor.
He was seconded to the vice squad in Manchester, where he was scouted for Corrie by Granada.
As an actor, he is known for his numerous TV roles, including his portrayal of Fred Elliott on Corrie from 1994 to 2006.
The actor is survived by his wife Rona Hopkinson and their two children.
Savident spent over a decade on Corrie
John Savident was best known for playing butcher Fred Elliott on ITV soap Coronation Street.
Savident first stepped on the cobbles in 1994 and quickly became a fan favourite.
His storylines involved his disastrous love life, including three marriages and several failed proposals.
A secret son, Ashley Peacock also arrived on the show and the two later developed a close bond as they worked as butchers together.
Savident's character was killed off in 2006, suffering a stroke on the day he was supposed to marry Bev Unwin.