Actress Stephanie Cole, ‘Tenko’ Star, Dies at 84
Actress Stephanie Cole, ‘Tenko’ Star, Dies at 84
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Key Points
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Cole won the 1992 British Comedy Award for Best TV Comedy Actress for playing Diana Trent in the BBC sitcom Waiting for God.
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Her final major television role was in the BBC comedy series The Cleaner, opposite Greg Davies, in 2021.
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Catherine Tyldesley said she had worked with Cole not only on Coronation Street but also on the 2019 BBC sitcom Scarborough, recalling that Cole made her laugh daily with her “very wicked sense of humour.”
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Beyond television, Cole appeared on stage in productions including The Mousetrap, Noises Off and A Passionate Woman.
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Cole’s husband, fellow actor Peter Birrel, died in 2004, and she is survived by one daughter from a previous marriage.
Stephanie Cole, the beloved British actress known for sharp-witted roles in GB News, has died at 84 after living with Alzheimer's disease. Her agent John Grant announced the death on behalf of her family. Cole's career spanned six decades across theatre, television, radio and film, making her a fixture in British entertainment.
Cole won a 1992 British Comedy Award for her role as Diana Trent in the BBC sitcom Waiting for God. She also starred in Tenko, Open All Hours, Doc Martin, and played Roy Cropper's mother on Coronation Street from 2011 to 2013. Her final major television role came in 2021 in the BBC comedy The Cleaner opposite Greg Davies.
A Career Built on Memorable Character Roles
Cole trained at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and made her stage debut in Blithe Spirit. Beyond television, she appeared in acclaimed stage productions including The Mousetrap, Noises Off and A Passionate Woman. Her ability to craft sharp, witty characters made her stand out across every medium she touched.
Catherine Tyldesley, her Coronation Street co-star, recalled working with Cole on the 2019 BBC sitcom Scarborough and said Cole made her laugh daily with her "very wicked sense of humour." ITV executive producer Iain MacLeod praised her talent and impact on the show during her 2011-2013 run.
Recognition From Colleagues and Fans Worldwide
Coronation Street stars called Cole "brilliant" and "adored by everyone," according to Express. Her colleagues highlighted not just her talent but her warmth and wit on set. The tributes poured in from actors who worked alongside her across multiple shows and decades.
Cole was appointed an OBE for her services to drama. Her family asked for privacy while emphasizing her lifelong support for mental health charities. Cole is survived by one daughter from a previous marriage. Her husband, fellow actor Peter Birrel, died in 2004.
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