Randall and Hopkirk and Coronation Street star dies

British actor and author Kenneth Cope, greatest identified for showing within the detective TV sequence Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased), has died aged 93.

A press release from his agent stated Cope “handed away peacefully in his sleep” on Wednesday, together with his spouse and household by his facet.

In Randall and Hopkirk, Cope performed Marty Hopkirk, a person who’s murdered however returns as a ghost.

The present, first broadcast in 1969 and 1970, developed a cult following and was remade in 2000 by Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer.

Cope additionally appeared in Coronation Avenue, as Jed Stone, and was a part of the Carry On Group.

The assertion launched by his agent described Cope as a “pure comedy actor”.

“A proud native Liverpudlian,” the assertion continued, Cope was “a loyal supporter of Everton Soccer Membership”.

“We’re deeply saddened by his passing and ask that his household are given privateness presently. He’s survived by his loving spouse Renny Lister and his kids Nick, Mark and Martha.”

Cope started his appearing profession in theatre earlier than securing a number of roles in movie and tv.

His different credit included Brookside, That Was The Week That Was, Docs, The Invoice, Truckers and Final of the Summer time Wine.

As character Jed Stone, Cope appeared in additional than 100 episodes of Coronation Avenue within the Sixties, and briefly returned in 2008 and 2009.

A spokesman for the ITV sequence stated: “Kenneth’s portrayal of Jed Stone, often known as Sonny Jim, on Coronation Avenue between 1961 and 1966 made him a agency favorite with the cleaning soap’s followers.

“He was a gifted actor and author and we had been delighted when he agreed to reprise the position 42 years later in 2008.

“We’re sorry to listen to of his passing and our ideas are together with his household and mates.”

Cope additionally portrayed Ray Hilton in Brookside for 171 episodes between 1999 and 2002.

Michael Starke, who performed Sinbad in Brookside and labored alongside Cope within the cleaning soap within the late Nineteen Nineties, described him as a “correct gentleman”.

He stated: “We had just a few scenes collectively, and I bear in mind he was a candy man. He by no means had a cross phrase for anybody and was at all times actually beneficiant. I appreciated him rather a lot.”

Cope additionally had main roles in Carry On at Your Comfort (1971) and Carry On Matron (1972).