CORONATION Street and TV legend Kenneth Cope has sadly passed away at the age of 93.
The beloved actor, best known for his role as Jed Stone in the popular soap opera, “passed away peacefully in his sleep yesterday,” his family announced.
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Coronation Street and TV legend Kenneth Cope has sadly passed away aged 93 Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
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The actor was best known for his role as Jed Stone in the soap opera Merits: ITV
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Kenneth starred in Carry on Matron opposite Barbara WindsorCredits: Rex
The news was confirmed by his agent Sandra Chalmers, she wrote on X: “I announce the departure of a true icon #KennethCope.
“An absolute pleasure to work with and an honor to know him. A true gentleman in show business RIP.”
A statement from Kenneth’s family read: “It is with great sadness that the family wish to announce that Kenneth Cope passed away 04/14/1931 – 09/11/2024.
“Ken passed away peacefully in his sleep yesterday with his wife and family by his side.
“An incredible icon of British television and film known for his roles as Marty Hopkirk in Randall and Hopkirk, Jed Stone in Coronation Street as well as being part of the Carry On team.
“His career spanned six decades and contributed to some of the most iconic moments in British culture. Ken was a proud native of Liverpudlian and a loyal supporter of Everton Football Club.
“He began his career in the theater quickly picking up many film and TV roles. He was a natural comedy actor and was the main contributor to the comedy series That Was the Week That Was and quickly became a regular in the acting industry.
“We are deeply saddened by his passing and ask that his family have privacy at this time. He is survived by his loving wife Renny Lister and his children Nick, Mark and Martha.”
One fan wrote: “Farewell to Kenneth Cope, who left in 93. I loved him in everything he did, but he will forever be the spooky Marty Hopkirk to me in Randall and Hopkirk (Desceased), a show way ahead of its time.”
“Sad news. RIP Kenneth,” shared another.
A fourth added: “Farewell to the brilliant Kenneth Cope – who, indeed, has left this deadly coil this time. Randall and Hopkirk will always be one of the Cult programs.”
“RIP Kenneth Cope. He absolutely stole the show in every Carry On he appeared in. Another Carry On legend has gone. Long live a legend of the Carry On films,” wrote another.
In addition to Coronation Street and Randall and Hopkirk, Kenneth also played Ray Hilton in the British sitcom Brookside.
He first appeared in Corrie back in 1966 as Jed Stone’s shadow, a role he returned to in 2008 episodes.
He returned after a 42-year absence as part of a storyline involving Tony Gordon, a development character.
Kenneth stayed on-screen for episodes for a few months before being written off again.
He reappeared in the series only in a special one-off episode in 2014, for the trial of Ken Barlow, played by William Roache.
In Randall and Hopkirk, Kenneth played Marty Hopkirk, a man who is killed but returns as a ghost.
The series, which first aired in 1969 and 1970, attracted a loyal fan base and was revived in 2000 by Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer.
Speaking to the PA news agency in 1994, Kenneth said he had “happy times” while filming the programme.
He said: “I used to think people liked it because it was a happy time when we were doing it. The sun was always shining.
“As a kid you wanted to be Superman, you wanted to be able to do things, find a magic stone and rub it and a ghost would appear.
“Randall and Hopkirk were real escapees. There was a nice guy there who could do magical things.”
Kenneth was loved for his starring roles in Carry On at Your Convenience, 1971 and Carry On Matron, 1972 – he also appeared in 1963’s Carry On Jack in an uncredited role.
He also starred in the 1963 Hammer horror film The Damned and appeared in the TV comedy drama Minder, an episode of the spy series The Avengers and the Warriors’ Gate episode of Doctor Who in 1981.
The actor, born in Liverpool in 1931, married in 1961 the actress Renny Lister, with whom he worked on Coronation Street.
They had two sons, Nick and Mark, who together formed a rock band called The Candyskins.
The couple also had a daughter, Martha, an actress best known for her roles in Doctors and EastEnders.
Kenneth was filmed celebrating his 92nd birthday at home last April.
The TV star opted for glasses and a cap to keep things casual in a black tracksuit and black trousers.
Kenneth enjoyed the last years of his life living in Southport, where he was a columnist for the Southport Visitor magazine.
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The actor celebrated his 92nd birthday last AprilCredit: Facebook
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Kenneth also starred in Carry On MatronCredit: Rank Films
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Kenneth also played Ray Hilton in the British sitcom Brookside Credits: Rex
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The sad news was confirmed on X by his agentCredit: Mercury Press Agency
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The actor left behind three children, sons Nick and Mark Cope, as well as daughter Marta Credits: Rex
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Kenneth with wife Renny Lister Credit: Rex
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