CORONATION Street and TV legend Kenneth Cope has sadly died aged 93.
The beloved actor, best known for his role as Jed Stone in the popular soap, “passed away yesterday peacefully in his sleep”, his family announced.
The news was also confirmed by his agent Sandra Chalmers, she wrote on X: “Announcing the passing of a true icon #KennethCope.
“An absolute joy to work with and an honour to have known. A true gentleman in show business RIP.”
A statement from Kenneth’s family read: “It is with great sadness the family wish to announce the passing of Kenneth Cope 14/04/1931 – 11/09/2024.
“Ken passed away yesterday peacefully in his sleep with his wife and family by his side.
“An incredible icon of British TV and film known famously for his role as Marty Hopkirk in Randall and Hopkirk, Jed Stone in Coronation Street as well as part of the Carry On team.
“His career spans six decades and contributed to some of the most iconic moments in British culture. Ken was a proud native Liverpudlian and a loyal supporter of Everton Football Club.
“He began his career in theatre quickly picking up many film and TV roles. He was a natural comedy actor and was a main contributor to the comedy series That Was The Week That Was and swiftly became a regular figure across the acting industry.
“We are deeply saddened by his passing and ask that his family are given privacy at this time. He is survived by his loving wife Renny Lister and his children Nick, Mark and Martha.”
One fan penned: “Farewell to Kenneth Cope, gone at 93. Loved him in everything he did but he will forever be the ghostly Marty Hopkirk in Randall and Hopkirk (Desceased) for me, a series way ahead of its time.”
“Sad news. RIP Kenneth,” shared another.
A fourth added: “It’s goodbye to the brilliant Kenneth Cope – who has, really, left this mortal coil this time. Randall and Hopkirk will always be one of THE iconic programmes.”
“RIP Kenneth Cope. Absolutely stole the show in every Carry On he appeared in. Another Carry On legend gone. Long live the legend of the Carry On films,” wrote another.
Aside from Coronation Street and Randall and Hopkirk, Kenneth also played Ray Hilton in British sitcom Brookside.
He first appeared in Corrie back in 1966 as shade Jed Stone, a part he returned to in episodes back in 2008.
He came back after a 42-year absence as part of a storyline involving property developer character Tony Gordon.
Kenneth was kept on screen through episodes over a number of months before he was written back out.
He only appeared on the show again for 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 murdered but comes back as a ghost.
The show, first broadcast in 1969 and 1970, attracted a loyal fan base and was remade in 2000 by Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer.
Speaking to the PA news agency in 1994, Kenneth said he had “happy times” making the programme.
He said: “I used to think people liked it because they were happy times when we made it. The sun was always shining.
“As a kid you wanted to be Superman, you wanted to be able to do things, to find the magic stone and rub it and a genie would appear.
“Randall and Hopkirk was quite escapist. There was a nice guy there who could do magical things.”
Kenneth was loved for his leading 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 featured in 1963 Hammer horror film The Damned and appeared in TV comedy drama Minder, an episode of espionage series The Avengers and the Warriors’ Gate episode of Doctor Who in 1981.
The actor, born in Liverpool in 1931, married actress Renny Lister, whom he worked with on Coronation Street, in 1961.
They had two sons Nick and Mark, who formed a rock band called The Candyskins together.
The couple also had a daughter, Martha, who is an actress best known for her roles in Doctors and EastEnders.
Kenneth was pictured celebrating his 92nd birthday in April last year at home.
The TV star opted for a pair of glasses and a bucket hat as he kept it casual in a black sweatshirt and black trousers.
Kenneth enjoyed the last years of his life living in Southport, where he was a columnist for the Southport Visitor magazine.
