Actor Kenneth Cope, best known for appearing in Coronation Street and several Carry On films, has died at the age of 93.
His former agent, Sandra Chalmers, confirmed he died surrounded by his family on Wednesday in his hometown of Southport in Sefton, Liverpool, the area where he was born in 1931.
A statement from Cope’s family said they were “deeply saddened” by the news.
It said: ‘It is with great sadness that the family wishes to announce the passing of Kenneth Cope 14/04/1931 – 11/09/2024.
‘Ken passed away peacefully in his sleep yesterday, surrounded by his wife and family.’
Actor Kenneth Cope, best known for appearing in Coronation Street and several Carry On films, has died aged 93 (pictured in the soap in 2008)
The actor had a career that spanned six decades and saw him star alongside such greats as Barbara Windsor (pictured together in 1972’s Carry on Matron).
“Ken passed away peacefully in his sleep yesterday, surrounded by his wife and family,” his family said in a statement (pictured here with wife Renny Lister in 2001).
The statement continued: ‘An incredible icon of British television and film best known for his roles as Marty Hopkirk in Randall and Hopkirk, Jed Stone in Coronation Street and also as part of the Carry On team.
‘His career spanned six decades and he contributed to some of the most iconic moments in British culture. Ken was a proud Liverpool man and a loyal supporter of Everton Football Club.
‘He began his career in theatre and quickly landed many roles in film and television. He was a natural comedic actor and was one of the main contributors to the comedy series That Was The Week That Was and quickly became a regular figure in the acting industry.
“We are deeply saddened by his passing and ask that his family be given privacy at this time. He is survived by his loving wife Renny Lister and his children Nick, Mark and Martha.”
Cope made a name for himself as ghost detective Marty Hopkirk in ITV’s supernatural detective series Randall And Hopkirk (Deceased).
It saw him solve crimes from beyond the grave while visible only to his partner Jeff Randall, after being killed during an investigation in the series’ first episode.
The cult classic series Randall And Hopkirk (Deceased) was known as My Partner The Ghost in the US, and was later remade with Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer in 2000, running for two seasons.
Speaking to the PA news agency in 1994, Cope said he had had “happy times” making the show.
Cope is survived by his beloved wife Renny Lister and children Nick, Mark and Martha (pictured with one of her children in 1969).
The statement continued: “Her career spanned six decades and she contributed to some of the most iconic moments in British culture” (pictured, Carry On Matron).
Cope starred in two Carry On films, Carry On At Your Convenience in 1971 (right, with co-stars Richard O’Callaghan and Jacki Piper) and Carry On Matron the following year.
Cope appears in the 1972 film Carry On Matron with co-star Valerie Leon, left.
Cope as Ray Hilton in Brookside in 2000 alongside (l-r) Jean Heywood as Kitty Hilton, Marji Campi as Jessie Hilton and Jennifer Ellison as Emily Shadwick
Cope said: ‘I used to think people liked it because it was a happy time when we did it. The sun was always shining.
‘When you were a kid you wanted to be Superman, you wanted to be able to do things, find the magic stone and rub it and a genie would appear.
‘Randall and Hopkirk were quite escapist. There was a nice guy who could do magical things.’
Born in Liverpool in 1931, he also starred in Coronation Street, appearing in the soap opera as Jed Stone in over 100 episodes between 1961 and 1963, before returning briefly in 2008 and 2009.
Cope went on to star in two Carry On films, Carry On At Your Convenience in 1971 and Carry On Matron the following year, and also appeared in 1963’s Carry On Jack in an uncredited role.
The actor appeared in Hammer’s 1963 horror film The Damned, and appeared in the television comedy-drama Minder, an episode of the spy series The Avengers and the Doctor Who episode Warriors’ Gate in 1981.
The actor married actress Renny Lister, with whom he starred in Coronation Street, in 1961. The couple had two sons, Nick and Mark, who formed a rock band together called The Candyskins. They also had a daughter, Martha, who is an actress, best known for her roles in Doctors and EastEnders.
Cope spent the last years of his life living in Southport, where he was a columnist for the Southport Visitor magazine.
Cope starred in Coronation Street, appearing in the soap opera as Jed Stone in over 100 episodes between 1961 and 1963, before returning briefly in 2008 and 2009 (pictured with Samia Longchambon and Gray O’Brien in 2009).
