Former Coronation Street actor Geoff Hinsliff dies at 87

Geoff Hinsliff, the ex-actor from Coronation Street, has passed away at the age of 87 following a brief illness.

Hinsliff, who had small parts in movies like O Lucky Man and I, Claudius, and portrayed a radio operator in Richard Attenborough’s grand film A Bridge Too Far, landed the part of Don Brennan on the soap after having a brief appearance a decade earlier in 1977 as a minor character called Eric Baile.

His family shared, "Geoff grew up in a working-class household as one of five siblings. He left school in Leeds at 15 without any qualifications, but later received a scholarship to study at Rada and became part of the Royal Shakespeare Company. An English teacher inspired him to pursue acting, and throughout his life, he held a strong belief in the importance of education."

He became a part of the Coronation Street team in 1987, taking on the role of Brennan, a taxi driver. Brennan was a wicked character, engaged in major offenses such as kidnapping and attempted murder. His story ended dramatically when he crashed his car into a viaduct.

Hinsliff also had roles in shows like Z-Cars, Holby City, Doctor Who, and Brass. His last performance on television was in Heartbeat in 2003.

His family shared that he really loved portraying the character George Fairchild, who frequently showed deference, in the popular ITV satire Brass. This show was a clever take on hard-hitting dramas from the north, exploring themes of class differences and reflecting on the northern upbringing he experienced.

Helen Worth, known for her role as Gail Platt in Coronation Street, honored Hinsliff on behalf of the cast and ITV, stating, “Geoff was a wonderful and gentle person who will be deeply missed by everyone. His collaboration with Lynne Perrie, who portrayed Ivy Tilsley, was truly exceptional and brought immense joy to audiences for many years.”

Judith, the widow of Hinsliff, along with their daughters Gaby, who writes for the Guardian, and Sophie, shared that he was “constantly seeking new experiences, had a playful sense of humor, and enjoyed engaging discussions about life’s issues over dinner. However, above all, it was his family and home that held the greatest significance for him.”