ITV has paid tribute to actor Mark Eden who played the legendary villain Alan Bradley.
Mark, who played the bullying and abusive partner of Rita Fairclough for three years in the soap, died earlier today after after living with Alzheimer's.
The 92-year-old actor, whose career spanned 50 years, is survived by his wife Sue Nicholls, who plays Audrey Roberts in Coronation Street, his daughter Polly, stepson Paul and granddaughter Emma.
He joined Corrie in 1981 playing slot machine business owner Wally Randle and went on to play the monstrous Alan from 1986 until his reign of terror ended when he was famously struck down by a Blackpool tram while chasing Rita.
The fearsome character 'set the template' for future villains on the famous cobbles including Richard Hillman, Pat Phelan and most recently Geoff Metcalfe.
John Whiston, MD of continuing drama and head of ITV studios in the north, said: “We are all hugely saddened to hear of the death of Mark Eden.
"The character he played, Alan Bradley, made a real impact in the three years he was in the show, embarking on a reign of terror and clashing with just about every other character in Coronation Street.
"He was a consummate actor and played the role of psychotic villain to a tee, making the character both chilling and credible.
"The show owes Mark a great deal as he set the template for all the great villains to come, from Hillman and Phelan to our latest baddie, Geoff Metcalfe. It’s a fantastic dramatic legacy.
"Our thoughts go out to Sue and their family and friends at this sad time.”
Sally Ann Matthews, who played his on-screen daughter Jenny, also shared a moving tribute on her Instagram and Twitter.
"I loved this man so much," she said.
"Thank you for being the most wonderful TV Dad, teacher and friend. DLP always Xxx"
Born Douglas John Malin, Mark's 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 and his TV credits also include Doctor Who, The Avengers, London Belongs To Me and Crown Court.
After the iconic tram scene Mark later unveiled a plaque at the tram stop where the scene was filmed.
Alan Bradley arrived on the Coronation Street cobbles to reconcile with his long-lost daughter Jenny following the death of her mother and his ex-wife Pat.
He moved to Weatherfield to live with Jenny and ended up falling for her foster mother Rita.
However, his volatile and controlling nature was revealed and he tormented Rita and tracked her down to Blackpool after he posed as her late husband Len and fraudulently mortgaged her home to start his own business.
After Corrie Mark appeared in Doctors and Casualty and his last screen credit was in 2013 in the TV movie An Adventure In Space And Time.
