Stephanie Cole, Tenko and Waiting for God star, dies aged 84
Actress Stephanie Cole, known for Tenko, Waiting for God, Doc Martin and Coronation Street, has died aged 84 after living with Alzheimer's for several years.
Actress Stephanie Cole, known for roles in Tenko, Waiting for God, Doc Martin and Coronation Street, has died aged 84.
Her agent John Grant said in a statement issued on behalf of her family that Cole had been living with Alzheimer’s disease for several years and “passed away this morning at the age of 84”. The statement, reported on Friday 18 September, described her as an “extraordinary talent” who “brought joy to millions”.
“Stephanie was an extraordinary talent whose long and distinguished career included many iconic performances in theatre and television,” the statement read. “She brought joy to millions through her many much-loved roles in sitcom and drama. She will also be remembered for her tireless work supporting mental health charities.”
Cole came to prominence playing Dr Beatrice Mason in the BBC’s 1980s wartime drama Tenko, set in a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp. She played Mrs Delphine Featherstone opposite Ronnie Barker in Open All Hours, reprising the role in Still Open All Hours, and was probably best known in comedy as Diana Trent, the sharp-tongued former photojournalist in Waiting for God. Later roles included the meddling Joan in Doc Martin and Roy Cropper’s mother Sylvia Goodwin in Coronation Street.
Cole was made an OBE in 2005 for her services to drama, the elderly and mental health charities. The family has asked for privacy.
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