Kenneth Cope has died at the age of 93, his former agent confirmed on Wednesday in a moving statement.
The actor, whose CV boasted roles in Randall and Hopkirk as well as ITV soap Coronation Street "passed away peacefully in his sleep".
His agent, Sandra Chalmers, confirmed his wife and children were by his side at the time of his death.
Cope is survived by his wife of 63 years, Renny Lister, actress daughter Martha Cope and his other children Nick and Mark.
In his agent's statement, Cope was branded a "natural comedy actor" and a "proud native Liverpudlian".
It added: "We are deeply saddened by his passing and ask that his family are given privacy at this time.
Kenneth Cope passed away surrounded by family
PA
"He is survived by his loving wife Renny Lister and his children Nick, Mark and Martha."
Soon after the news broke, social media was flooded with tributes to the actor who enjoyed a six-decade-plus-long career on stage and screen.
One person penned on X: "Sad to hear actor and writer Kenneth Cope has died, aged 93.
"A long and varied both big and small screen career. Here hanging about during takes while filming Randall and Hopkirk Deceased @ElstreeStudios in 1969."
A second added: "Sad to hear Kenneth Cope died yesterday. I [love] him, especially as Marty Hopkirk in Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased).
"In my radio days I interviewed his son in his indie band The Candyskins, I opened with big fan of your dad in R&H(D) & he sent me a signed photo of his dad. RIP."
Elsewhere, a third echoed: "Farewell to Kenneth Cope, gone at 93. Loved him in everything he did but he will forever be the ghostly Marty Hopkirk in Randall and Hopkirk (Desceased) for me, a series way ahead of its time." (sic)
Cope's time on Corrie saw him star in 128 episodes overall over the course of 48 years.
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Farewell to Kenneth Cope, gone at 93. Loved him in everything he did but he will forever be the ghostly Marty Hopkirk in Randall and Hopkirk (Desceased) for me, a series way ahead of its time. #RIPKennethCope #RIP pic.twitter.com/ybqVJuVuIZ
— Líam Rudden 🧢 (@LiamRudden) September 12, 2024
He also enjoyed stints in popular British TV dramas The Bill, Doctors, Waking the Dead, Hustle, Brookside and A Touch of Frost among others.
When it came to comedy, Cope played an integral part in a number of the Carry On films, including Carry on Matron, Carry on at Your Convenience and Carry on Jack.