Dean Worswick "was loved by everyone"

Dean Worswick, 15, of Harpford Drive, Breightmet, Bolton, had appeared in Coronation Street and Channel 4 series Shameless.

His body was found in a field off Willand Drive, Breightmet, on Monday. Police said there were no suspicious circumstances.

He attended Canon Slade High School where he was studying for 10 GCSEs and hoped to stay on after to study drama.

His parents, Gail and Michael Worswick, and his 11-year-old brother Lee are said to be "devastated" by his death.

The number of tributes that have been laid where he lost his life illustrate how many people cared for him and how many friends he had Michael Worswick

Mr Worswick said: "Dean was a brilliant actor and he loved it, it's all he ever wanted to do.

"He started off attending drama workshops in Bury and from there he then went on to star in adverts before progressing to a number of popular programmes.

"We just can't believe this has happened. We are all devastated by his death which has left a massive hole in our lives.

"Dean was loved by everyone who knew him and he always had a smile on his face.

"The number of tributes that have been laid where he lost his life illustrate how many people cared for him and how many friends he had."

'A mystery'

In Coronation Street, Dean had played Warren Shipley and had also appeared in Clocking Off and Cops.

A Coronation Street spokeswoman said: "We are really sad to hear of Dean's death. Our sympathies and condolences go out to his family."

Canon Slade head teacher, the Rev Peter Shepherd, said Dean's death was "a mystery".

He said: "Dean had lots of mates and he was a very effervescent character.

"He was involved in drama and played a clown in our last production, which was Barnum. He was memorable in it because he had circus skills.

"If I had to make a list of pupils who might do something like this, it would not be very long and Dean would certainly not have been on it.