British actor Kenneth Cope, a popular TV and film star in the 1960s and ’70s thanks to leading appearances in Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) and Coronation Street, has died. He was 93.

Cope’s former agent Sandra Chalmers, of The Artists Partnership, announced that he died at his home in the northern seaside town of Southport in Sefton, Liverpool, the area where he was born in 1931.

Renny Lister, Cope’s wife of 63 years, and family members, including actor daughter Martha Cope, were by his side. He is also survived by children Nick and Mark.

Chalmers said Cope was an “incredible icon of British TV & film.” Cope and Lister met in 1961 when they both joined the cast of long-running ITV soap Coronation Street. He played petty crook Jed Stone as a semi-regular through the early and mid-1960s. He later returned to the role after an absence of 42 years.

He honed his craft in repertory with the Bristol Old Vic and made his first appearance on television in 1952, playing a musician in a TV film adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Two Gentlemen of Verona as a musician. The camera liked him and he performed a string of roles throughout the 1950s.

The sixties proved to be a breakthrough decade for him with the double whammy of him playing in Coronation Street and, starting in 1962, appearing for a year with David Frost, Millicent Martin, Roy Kinnear, David Kernan, Willie Rushton, and Lance Percival on This Was The Week That Was, a seminal late-night satirical show that aimed its sharp wit at the establishment. 

This Was The Week That Was quickly became essential Saturday night viewing. The BBC show dared to highlight the murkier goings on in political life, particularly salacious political scandals, causing some politicians and prominent public figures to demand that it be taken off the air.

The furor only propelled Cope’s career. He went on to play roles in the popular show of the day including Z Cars, The Avengers and We Have Ways of Making You Laugh, the celebrated sketch show written by Frank Muir and Dick Vosburgh.

In the late 1960s, the producer Monty Berman came up with an idea for a show titled Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) — called My Partner the Ghost in the U.S. — about two private detectives: Jeff Randall, played by Mike Pratt, and Marty Hopkirk, played by Cope. The twist being that Cope’s Hopkirk is murdered but returns as a ghost — in a cream-colored suit — to help his former partner bring the killer to justice.

It took a little while to catch on, but the show eventually became a hit for the old ATV and LWT ITV stations. The show went on to become highly influential and it was revived decades later with Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer.

Cope also appeared in movies Carry on at Your Convenience and Carry on Matron, although he was uncredited for a small role in 1964s Carry on Jack. He also appeared in Rentadick, Juggernaut, the film version, TV comedy George and Mildred, and Captives.

As Cope’s last agent, Chalmers was asked by Cope’s family to announce his passing. In a statement, Chalmers wrote:  “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.”

Coronation Street

Cope played Jed Stone, a petty criminal, in the long-running British soap Coronation Street. He played the part from 1961 until 1966 before returning in 2008. He remained in the show for a couple of years before being written out.

Jed Stone's Storyline

During his return to Coronation Street, Jed Stone, played by Kenneth Cope, became involved in a complicated storyline. The storyline involved Tony Gordon, a property developer played by Gray O’Brien, who had been making trouble for the residents of the cobbles.

Jed Stone was also known for his love of gambling. In fact, he was known as "Sonny Jim" by other Coronation Street characters. His gambling addiction was a regular plot device used to make him a more interesting and dynamic character for the show.

Carry On

Cope’s most recognizable roles were in the British comedy franchise Carry On. In the movies, he was known for his natural comedic timing and for always delivering lines with a wry, witty demeanor. He was known for playing characters that were a bit off-kilter and had a penchant for creating comedic situations.

Carry On At Your Convenience

In the movie Carry On At Your Convenience, Cope played Vic Spanner, a lazy striking organiser. The film took place in a factory that was dealing with a dispute between management and the workers.

Cope was particularly well known for his ability to deliver the one-liners that Carry On films were famous for. In Carry On At Your Convenience, he delivered a line that has since become a bit of a catchphrase: "I can't help you, guv. I'm a union man!"

Carry On Matron

Kenneth Cope also starred in Carry On Matron, which followed a group of mischievous nurses who were looking to cause chaos at a hospital. Cope played the role of Cyril Carter.

The movie contained a number of memorable scenes, including one where Cope’s character was mistaken for a woman. His ability to play both the straight man and the comedic foil in Carry On Matron and Carry On at Your Convenience cemented his place in the franchise.

Randall and Hopkirk

In 1969, Cope began playing Marty Hopkirk, a ghost detective, in the television series Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased). The series was a cult classic and was later remade in the year 2000 with comedians Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer.

The Ghost Detective

The series told the story of Marty Hopkirk, who is murdered in the first episode and becomes a ghost. He teams up with his partner, Jeff Randall, to solve crimes. Cope was a strong comedic actor and perfectly captured the spirit of the series. He was able to seamlessly shift from witty one-liners to dramatic moments of emotional intensity.

A Lasting Legacy

Kenneth Cope’s career was full of memorable moments, and he was loved by audiences for his charm, wit, and comedic talent. His death leaves a void in the world of British entertainment but his work will continue to be enjoyed by audiences for generations to come.

Cope’s family has asked that fans respect their privacy during this time. They also praised him as "a proud native Liverpudlian and a loyal supporter of Everton Football Club".

Cope is survived by his wife, Renny Lister, and his children Nick, Mark, and Martha.