Coronation Street actor Mark Eden has died.
The actor, who played Alan Bradley for eight years, died today in hospital at the age of 92.
He is survived by his wife and co-star Sue Nicholls, who plays Audrey Roberts.
He is seen by fans of Corrie as one of the show's best ever villains.
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, January 1 2021.
“Mark had been living with Alzheimer’s disease for some time, and was hospitalised in November.
“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 granddaughter Emma. We ask that their privacy be respected at this very difficult time.”
His run in Coronation Street ended after his character was killed by a Blackpool tram.
Eden later unveiled a plaque at the tram stop where the scene was filmed.
He first appeared in the show as Alan Bradley in 1986 as a love interest for Rita Fairclough.
The fan website coronationstreet.fandom.com says that over the next three years "he developed into one of the most famous villains in the programme's history".
His first screen credit was in 1958 with a role in Quatermass And The Pit.
He later acted in the 1965 film Doctor Zhivago, starring Julie Christie and Omar Sharif, as well as iconic TV hit such as Doctor Who and The Avengers.
He also appeared in London Belongs To Me and Crown Court.
Later in his career he appeared in Doctors and Casualty.
His last screen credit in 2013 in the TV movie An Adventure In Space And Time.
Fans have today paid tribute.
One TV fan said on Twitter: "Alan Bradley was a brilliantly written and portrayed character and the Alan, Rita plot superbly executed. Rest well."
A Corrie fan said: "We loved watching him in the role - Alan Bradley was definitely the OG of modern #Corrie villains."
Another said: "Oh no, RIP Mark Eden. He played Alan Bradley to perfection.
"He was so evil in terrorising Rita.
"My thoughts are with his wife Sue Nicholls, his family and friends and also Sally Ann Matthews."
