Veteran actress Stephanie Cole has passed away at the age of 84, her representative has confirmed.
Cole, who received an OBE in 2005 for her contributions to drama, elderly welfare, and mental health causes, had been battling Alzheimer’s disease for several years.
Her death was announced by agent John Grant on behalf of her relatives, who have asked for privacy during this period.
The performer from Solihull, Warwickshire, built an extensive career on both stage and screen spanning multiple decades.
Her early theatrical training took place at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School following her stage debut at 17, portraying the 90-year-old psychic Madame Arcati in Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit.
She revisited this character at age 63 when the production returned to London’s Savoy Theatre in 2004.
Television audiences widely recognised her portrayal of Dr Beatrice Mason in the period drama Tenko, which documented the experiences of British women held captive in Singapore following the Japanese advance during the Second World War.
During the same broadcast era, she appeared as the scheming Delphine Featherstone, referred to as The Black Widow, in the BBC sitcom Open All Hours.
Cole featured alongside Thora Hird, Maggie Smith, Julie Walters and Patricia Routledge when the first series of Talking Heads aired in 1988, taking on the character of Muriel.
She later revived her Featherstone role in the sequel series Still Open All Hours and accumulated additional television credits through programmes including The Cleaner, Gentleman Jack, Midsomer Murders, Inside No 9 and Doctors.
Her portrayal of Sylvia Goodwin, the parent of Roy Cropper, on Coronation Street between 2011 and 2013 earned her the British Soap Award for best comedy performance.
She also received the British Comedy Award for best actress for her lead role in the 1990s sitcom Waiting For God, which centred on inhabitants of a retirement community.
Alzheimer’s Society chief executive Michelle Dyson expressed her organisation’s sorrow at the news.
Dyson noted that Cole entertained millions throughout a lengthy and distinguished career, and offered condolences to her loved ones.
She highlighted that dementia remains the leading cause of death in the United Kingdom and emphasized the importance of collective action to address its impact.
Support resources are accessible through the charity’s helpline and website for those affected by the condition.