Coronation Street icon Geoffrey Hinsliff dies aged 87

He appeared in the soap for a decade

Hinsliff was best known for starring as Don Brennan on the cobbles from 1987 to 1997.

His passing was confirmed by the ITV soap, with tributes pouring in for the late actor, the Mirror reports.

Helen Worth, who plays Gail Platt, said: “Geoff was a lovely, quiet man who will be sadly missed by us all.

"His partnership with Lynne Perry was something rather special and they gave the viewers huge pleasure for many years.”

Born in 1937, in Leeds, Hinsliff cultivated an early passion for the arts. His love for acting led him to train at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), where he began honing the craft that would lead to a distinguished career on stage and screen.

But it was for his role as Corrie villain Don Brennan that he was best known. During his decade-long stint on the soap, his character was famously given a storyline involving kidnap and attempted murder.

During his time on Corrie, Don Brennan bought MVB motors from Mike Baldwin but started to resent him when the garage went bust. He then kidnapped Mike's wife Alma and drove their car into the canal, but both survived.

Don later tried to run Mike over but died when his car crashed into a viaduct and exploded.

His portrayal of the character made him one of Corrie's most infamous villains.

Beyond the cobbled streets of Weatherfield, Geoffrey enjoyed a diverse career with roles in popular TV series such as Z-Cars, Doctor Who, Rumpole of the Bailey, and The Bill, along with a number of roles in theatre.

He is survived by his wife, Judith E Seel, who he married in 1967, and their two children.