Coronation Street star dies aged 93 as tributes paid to 'true gentleman'

Coronation Street star Kenneth Cope has died, it's been announced. The TV star rose to prominence in 1961 after landing the role of Jed Stone in the ITV soap.

He appeared on the cobbles between 1961 and 1963 as lodger to Minnie Caldwell, who referred to him as Sunny Jim. After sporadic appearances he returned in 1966, starring in 56 episodes during that year.

Cope then returned to Weatherfield as Jed in 2008. He came back after a 42-year absence as part of a storyline involving property developer character Tony Gordon before disappearing a short time later. He only appeared on the show again for a special one-off episode in 2014, for the trial of Ken Barlow, played by Corrie legend William Roache.

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The sad news of Cope's death was confirmed by his former agent Sandra Chalmers, of The Artists Partnership, on Thursday (September 12). She wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: "Announcing the passing of a true icon #KennethCope."

Alongside a picture of the late star she added: "An absolute joy to work with and an honour to have known. A true gentleman in show business RIP."

She also shared a statement from his family which read: "Ken passed away yesterday peacefully in his sleep with his wife and family by his side." They described him as "an incredible icon of British TV and film”, with a career spanning six decades that “contributed to some of the most iconic moments in British culture” as well as being “a natural comedy actor".

Aside from Coronation Street, Cope stared in Randall and Hopkirk, which aired between 1969 and 1970. as as