Biography: Jim Bywater was a British actor and musician perhaps best known for the role of Wilf Starkey in Coronation Street. In the 1970s and 80s, Bywater was a member of Belt and Braces, Gavin Richards' leftwing political theatre company, and of the Belt and Braces Roadshow Band which released music in the decade. In 1976 Bywater met his wife, the actress and broadcaster Jeni Barnett whilst starring together in a Belt and Braces production. On 16th June 2026, Barnett posted a blog entry announcing Bywater's recent death at the age of 82 following a long illness.