Mark Eden dead at 92: Coronation Street icon passes away peacefully in hospital after Alzheimer’s battle
Mark Eden has died at the age of 92.
The Coronation Street icon passed away peacefully in hospital on Friday, after an Alzheimer’s battle, his agent confirmed.
The actor – who was best known for playing Alan Bradley in Corrie – leaves behind his wife Sue Nicholls, 77, who plays Audrey Roberts in the ITV soap.
Sad news: Coronation Street icon Mark Eden has died at the age of 92, leaving behind his wife Sue Nicholls, 77, who plays Audrey Roberts in the ITV soap (pictured together in 2009)
A statement from his agent 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.
‘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 Paul and grand-daughter Emma. We ask that their privacy be respected at this very difficult time.’
Peaceful passing: The actor – best known for playing Alan Bradley in Corrie – passed away peacefully in hospital on Friday, after an Alzheimer’s battle (Pictured in 1960)
Mark, whose birth name was Douglas John Malin, was first married to his first wife Joan Long from 1953 until 1959.
The couple welcomed son David in 1957, but the actor, musician and composer tragically died in 2017.
Mark met his second wife, Diana Smith (who later used the stage name Diana Eden), in 1971 with the pair getting married two years later and going on to have a daughter named Polly.
The Coronation Street star tied the knot to third wife Sue, and fellow soap star, in 1993.
Longterm love: The Coronation Street star tied the knot to third wife Sue, and fellow soap star, in 1993 (Pictured in 2016)
Widower: Sue doesn’t have any children of her own, and said October 2019: ‘I met Mark late in life, I was nearly 40, so children just didn’t happen’ (pictured together in August 1998)
Coronation Street fans will know Mark as baddie Alan Bradley who appeared on the ITV soap in the 80s.
Mark’s time on The Cobbles came to an end when his character was killed by a Blackpool tram.
The London-born actor’s autobiography, titled Who’s Going To Look At You?, was published in 2010.
Icon: Coronation Street fans will know Mark as baddie Alan Bradley who appeared on the ITV soap in the 80s (Pictured with his on-screen daughter Jenny, played by Sally Ann Matthews)
Sue doesn’t have any children of her own, and told The Mirror in October 2019: ‘I met Mark late in life, I was nearly 40, so children just didn’t happen.
‘As much as I’d have liked it, I didn’t have a family to bring up and worry about… maybe that’s helped keep me young.
‘I’ve never dwelled on it and I’m glad in a way because I probably wouldn’t have been in the show all these years if I’d had children.
‘It’s probably why I love coming to work. I get my family here. I’ve got surrogate children and grandchildren.’