Kenneth Cope
Kenneth Cope
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Played: Jed Stone (1961 - 1966)
The son of an engineer, Kenneth Cope joined the scouts and took part in several gang shows; he first entered acting when he accompanied his friend, Norman Rossington, to take part in a youth production of The Merchant of Venice at the David Lewis Theatre in Liverpool. At the age of 19 Ken enrolled at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School which was the start of a career that has spanned over 45 years. Kenneth made his television debut as a monk in a production of The Duenna before appearing in The Adventures of Robin Hood, Ivanhoe and Dixon of Dock Green.
Unusually, while Cope was playing Jed Stone in Coronation Street, he also appeared in the BBC's satirical comedy show, That Was the Week That Was. As a result of playing Jed Stone, Cope made a record with Tony Hatch. Unfortunately, Hands Off, Stop Mucking About was not a hit, but it lead to Cope gaining a regular slot as a DJ on Radio Luxembourg. Guest Apperances include numerous movies (including two Carry On... movies), A Sharp Intake of Breath, Doctor Who and three appearances on the BBC's Casualty. Other television roles includes three parts in Casualty, PC Len Dearton in The Bill, Phelan in Minder, John Ikin in Lovejoy, Ordell in 99-1, Mr Flood in Out of the Blue , Goodnight Sweetheart and Mr Barker in Medics.
But it is for playing the eponymous ghost, Marty Hopkirk in Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased) that Kenneth Cope is best known. He also created the BBC children's drama series, Striker, and has twice been a restauranteur, owning 'Martha's Kitchen' in the '70s, and more recently 'L'Epicure', both in Oxfordshire.
Most recent work includes stage productions of Safe In Your Hands at the Belgrade Theatre and Ark Angel at the Wales Playhouse.
Ken lives in Oxford with his actress wife Renny Lister, whom he met and married when they worked together in Coronation Street in 1961, she played his girlfriend Jean Stark. The couple both write plays for television. They have three grown up children; Martha, an actress and two sons Mark and Nicky who perform in a band called Candy Skins and have recently released their fourth album in the USA.
Film credits include: Dunkirk, Tank Force, The Lady Is a Square, The Criminal, The Death Trap, Jungle Street, Father Came Too!, Genghis Khan, Night of the Big Heat, Carry On at Your Convenience, Carry On Matron, Juggernaut, Captives; The Golden Collar; Blood and Peaches; Ark Angel;
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