Trivia

3 children - Mark born 1964, Nicholas Edward, and Martha born 1970.

He was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in 2005.

Has a daughter, actress Martha Cope

He wrote the Thames sitcom 'Thingumybob for Stanley Holloway in 1968.

He was diagnosed with mesothelioma in 2000. Six years later this was confirmed as a misdiagnosis.

Met his wife in 1961, while they were working together in Coronation Street. She was cast as his girlfriend Jean Stark.

In January 2014, Cope appeared as a character witness during the trial of former Coronation Street colleague William Roache, who plays Ken Barlow in the series.

Their sons Nick and Mark Cope at one time formed a rock band, 'The Candyskins'.

His role in Coronation Street resulted in the recording of a novelty pop single, "Hands Off, Stop Mucking About", with Tony Hatch. Though not a hit, it led to a regular slot as a disc jockey with Radio Luxembourg.

In retirement Cope resided in Southport and wrote a weekly column for the weekly Southport Visiter newspaper.