A PROMISING actor who appeared in Coronation Street died at the age of 27 after "falling ill" in Costa Rica.

Joseph Owen Wandera, 27, died in January after having a seizure while on holiday as heartbreaking tributes poured in for the "gifted visionary."

The actor appeared on Coronation Street in 2018, where he played a buyer interested in purchasing Eileen Grimshaw's car.

After filming his for the ITV soap, the actor wrote on Twitter: "Overwhelmed with the support. Mad love for everyone that’s getting onto me and caught my ep.

"They’ll be more to come this year."

Wandera, from Salford, also performed at the Manchester Fringe Festival in 2012 – and had television roles in Scott & Bailey and Moving On.

The actor featured in a pilot for BBC Comedy Showcase and appeared in two reconstructions for BBC's Inside Out.

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And Wandera, who started his career at MaD Theatre Company, was also a co-director of children’s and young adult shows at DNA Acting Class.

Police coroner officer Kathy Dixon confirmed that he had been at a party the night before he died on January 16 this year.

He had been staying with friends at Villa Verde One, in Tamarindo, Costa Rica, when he "fell ill" and died.

She told the inquest at Rochdale Coroners’ Court today: "Whilst at a party, Joseph rang his girlfriend and explained that he did not feel well.

“He had lost sight in one eye and lost sensation in the left side of his body.

“He contacted a friend who picked him up and took him back to their apartment. Joseph went to sleep on the sofa.

“A few hours later, the friend found Joseph on the sofa having a seizure.

TRAGIC LOSS

“Medics were called but they were unable to revive him and he sadly passed away.”

Tributes poured in for the up and coming actor, who was a "gift" to everyone who knew him, reports Manchester Evening News.

DNA Acting Class said in a statement: "One who transcended everyone's belief in themselves and embodied everything we stand for.

"He was an actor, an artist, a visionary, a brother, a son, a friend, a confidant, a gift and family.

"His artistry was met with an unparalleled charisma, elegant warmth and immense love for what he adored.

MUCH-LOVED ACTOR

"An abundance of skill, charm and a forever existent spark of magic when he performed.

"He adored his work and those around him just as much as his work and those around him adored him."

Ashley Conway posted on a tribute page to Joseph on GoFundMe: "As many, we can’t believe all of this. Joe, he was truly too good for this earth.

"They say the good die young but you wouldn’t have thought it would have ever been you.

"The wars you’ve been through in the last few years, you were undefeated.

"It’s going to be a different world without you here. You made it a better place with your smile and pure energy! You will be truly missed."

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