Yahoo News Coronation Street and Doctor Who star Mark Eden dies, aged 92
Coronation Street and Doctor Who actor Mark Eden has died at the age of 92 after a battle with Alzheimer's.
The sad news that Eden, who was married to fellow Coronation Street star Sue Nicholls (Audrey Roberts), passed away today (January 1) has been confirmed by his agent.
A statement to the PA news agency said: "We are very sad to announce the death of actor Mark Eden. He died peacefully, in hospital, earlier today, 1st Jan 2021. Mark had been living with Alzheimer's disease for some time, and was hospitalised in November.
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"Mark, 92, had a long career spanning more than 50 years, including eight years in Coronation Street as character Alan Bradley. He is survived by his wife Sue, his daughter Polly, his stepson Saul and grand-daughter Emma. We ask that their privacy be respected at this very difficult time."
Eden played infamous villain Alan Bradley in Corrie until 1989, with the character being killed in a tram crash in Blackpool while he was pursuing his terrified former partner Rita Fairclough (now Tanner, played by Barbara Knox) as she fled from him in one of the soap's most well-known scenes.
During his time on the soap, Alan terrorised the residents of the Street – particularly Rita – with his volatile behaviour, while his estranged daughter Jenny Connor (Sally Ann Matthews) is still on the cobbles now.
The actor also starred in the very first season of Doctor Who in 1964 story 'Marco Polo', playing Marco Polo opposite William Hartnell's First Doctor.
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During his long acting career, Eden also starred in Doctor Zhivago, The Avengers, Doctors, and Casualty, with his final screen credit coming in the form of An Adventure in Space and Time, which tells the story of the creation of Doctor Who, in 2013.
Tributes have been paid to the actor on social media by fans and former co-stars, including his on-screen Corrie daughter Sally Ann Matthews, who called him "the most wonderful TV Dad, teacher and friend":
I loved this man so much. Thank you for being the most wonderful TV Dad, teacher and friend. DLP always Xxx https://t.co/gr261iIc85
— Sally Ann Matthews (@SallyAnMatthews) January 1, 2021
Very sad to hear of the passing of Mark Eden, the actor who played Alan Bradley, and real life partner of Sue Nicholls, who plays Audrey Roberts. We loved watching him in the role - Alan Bradley was definitely the OG of modern #Corrie villains! pic.twitter.com/Kx0pyHWhvn
— Conversation Street Podcast (@ConversationStr) January 1, 2021
Saddened to hear that Mark Eden has died who played Marco Polo in the story Marco Polo. R.I.P. pic.twitter.com/qTMcgbk2wp
— DW On This Day (@DWOnThisDay) January 1, 2021
Terrible to hear that Mark Eden has passed away.
Marco Polo himself in #DoctorWho (which got him on the show's first Radio Times cover) and Number 100 in The Prisoner. I always thought it was lovely that he was in An Adventure in Space and Time too as Donald Baverstock. RIP ❤️ pic.twitter.com/j6xjMMx0oZ— Kieran Highman (@The66Ramblers) January 1, 2021
💔😢 Thoughts, love and condolences to @SallyAnMatthews, Sue, Barbara and all cast and crew at @itvcorrie following the sad passing of the brilliant Mark Eden. Alan Bradley was a brilliantly written and Portrayed character and the Alan, Rita plot superbly executed. Rest well ⭐💖
— Jon (@JonnoDew) January 1, 2021
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