Coronation Street and Randall and Hopkirk: Deceased star dies as tributes pour in
Actor Kenneth Cope has died at the age of 93, after a length career which saw him appear in the likes of Coronation Street, Brookside and Randall And Hopkirk Deceased
Coronation Street actor Kenneth Cope has died at the age of 93.
Acting agent Sandra Chalmers shared the sad news on Thursday (September 12). Sandra said: “Announcing the passing of a true icon Kenneth Cope.
“An absolute joy to work with and an honour to have known. A true gentleman in show business RIP.”
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Another social media user wrote: “Farewell to Kenneth Cope, gone at 93. Loved him in everything he did from Coronation Street, The Avengers, Doctor Who, several Carry On films but he will forever be the ghostly Marty Hopkirk for me in Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) A series way ahead of its time.”
Kenneth’s career spanned five decades, with his first acting credit being for the 1953 mini-series Johnny, You’re Wanted. He enjoyed a steady career, picking up regular gigs and eventually landing the lead role of Marty Hopkirk in Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) in 1969.
He appeared in a number of Carry On projects, including Carry On At Your Convenience and Carry On Matron. He played Packard in four episodes of Doctor Who in 1981 and also played two different small roles in medical drama Casualty.
Liverpool-born Kenneth may be best known for his work in soaps though. He played Ray Hilton in Brookside, appearing in more than 150 episodes between 1999 and 2002.
He also played Jed Stone in Coronation Street, returning to the role a handful of times between 1961 and 2009.
Outside of acting, Kenneth married actress Renny Lister, who also appeared in Coronation Street. Together they share sons Nick and Mark, who formed rock band The Candyskins, and daughter Martha, who is an actress and, like her parents, has also starred in Corrie, as well as Emmerdale and EastEnders.