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Stephanie Cole, Iconic British Actress, Dies at 84
Confirmed
In Short: Stephanie Cole, known for her roles in 'Tenko' and 'Doc Martin,' has died at age 84.
Stephanie Cole, the beloved British actress known for her roles in 'Tenko' and 'Doc Martin,' has died at the age of 84, her agent confirmed. Cole had been living with Alzheimer's disease for several years.
Cole's career spanned over five decades, with notable roles including Dr Beatrice Mason in the BBC wartime drama 'Tenko' and the aunt of Martin Clunes's character in 'Doc Martin.' She also played Mrs Delphine Featherstone, the 'Black Widow,' in the long-running sitcom 'Open All Hours.
In 1990, Cole won the British Comedy Award for best actress for her role in the sitcom 'Waiting For God.' She later joined the cast of 'Coronation Street' as Sylvia Goodwin, a role she played for two years.
Cole's stage career was equally impressive, with performances in 'Noël Coward’s Blithe Spirit' and 'The Mousetrap.' She was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2005 for her contributions to drama and mental health charities.
During her career, Cole starred in a variety of productions, from the acclaimed 'Talking Heads' to 'A Bit of a Do' and 'Keeping Mum.' Her agent, John Grant, issued a statement on behalf of her family, requesting privacy during this difficult time.
Cole's passing has been met with sadness and tributes from fans and colleagues alike, celebrating her remarkable talent and contributions to British television and theatre.
What's confirmed
- The actress Stephanie Cole, known for roles in Tenko, Open All Hours and Doc Martin, has died aged 84.
- "Stephanie was an extraordinary talent whose long and distinguished career included many iconic performances in theatre and television," the statement read.
- She would go on to win the award for best TV comedy actress for her part as the sharp-tongued photojournalist Diana Trent in Waiting For God.
- RIP Stephanie Cole, known best to me as Corrie's Sylvia Goodwin.
- Cole died on September 18, 2026, at age 84, her agent confirmed.
What's still developing
- Cole, in her breakout role, played a doctor who struggled to look after the health of the women, opposite Ann Bell and Claire Oberman.
- Her big break came in 1980 playing Dr Beatrice Mason in Tenko, a BBC drama that chronicled the lives of British women in Singapore after the Japanese invasion.
- The show about a grumpy, penny-pinching shopkeeper, played by Barker, is one of the best-known BBC sitcoms of all time and was revived in 2013 as Still Open All Hours, for which Cole returned.
- Cole’s husband, fellow actor Peter Birrel, died in 2004.
- She also appeared in shows such as Tenko, Doc Martin, and A Bit Of A Do.
- She played Dr Beatrice Mason in the 1980s series Tenko, which told the story of British women held in a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp during the Second World War.
- Stephanie Cole (5 October 1941 – 18 September 2026) R.I.P pic.twitter.com/6w9yByJAaJ — 🇬🇧📺 Classic British TV 📺🇬🇧 (@Classicbritcom) September 18, 2026 "During this incredibly difficult time, the family kindly requests privacy." Aw really sad news.
- The actress left the show in August 2013, later explaining that her departure had been brought forward following the death of her brother.