Friday, September 18, 2026 - British actress Stephanie Cole has died aged 84, her agent confirmed on Friday, September 18, 2026.
Cole, widely recognised for her roles in Tenko, Doc Martin, Coronation Street, Open All Hours and Waiting for God, died earlier today. Her family said she had been living with Alzheimer’s disease for several years and has requested privacy following her death.
Cole leaves behind a major body of work across television, theatre and radio. She played Dr Beatrice Mason in Tenko, Joan Norton in Doc Martin and Sylvia Goodwin in Coronation Street, earning a British Soap Award for her performance as Roy Cropper’s mother.
She also became widely known as Diana Trent in Waiting for God, for which she won the British Comedy Award for Best TV Comedy Actress. Her other credits included Still Open All Hours, Gentleman Jack and The Cleaner.
News of Cole’s death is now drawing renewed attention to her memorable performances, with audiences revisiting the programmes and characters that made her a familiar face across generations.
Her agent John Grant described her as an “extraordinary talent” whose work brought joy to millions, while also highlighting her support for mental health charities. As tributes emerge, her performances remain readily recognisable to viewers discovering or returning to her work today.
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