According to reports, Stephen Hancock - who starred Emily Bishop’s husband Ernest for eight years in the soap - passed away on 1st November.
His character became something of a legend to loyal Coronation Street fans, starting off life as Weatherfield’s resident photographer in 1969.
He soon went on to marry his assistant, Emily Nugent (Eileen Derbyshire), in 1972, and the happy couple went on to foster two children.
However Ernest’s life came to a violent end after Stephen became embroiled in a pay dispute with Corrie bosses; he was killed by a sawn-off shotgun during an armed robbery storyline, leaving poor Emily widowed.
The pay dispute that saw Stephen exit the show, however, wasn’t anything to do with his own contract.
It was, in fact, a campaign from the actor to get a better deal for other the newer and younger stars of the show, as he felt that the wages structure was not fair to them.
Despite being killed off, however, Stephen followed his character’s storyline to the bitter end.
He even stood watching, under cover of nearby trees, as the rest of the cast filmed of Ernest’s burial from the cover of nearby trees.
“I remember going as myself to the funeral and watching myself being buried,” Hancock said in a 2010 television documentary, Coronation Street: 50 Years 50 Moments.
Speaking about Stephen’s death, a Coronation Street spokesperson said: “We are saddened to hear of Stephen’s death and our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.
“In Ernest Bishop, Stephen created a character that will always be remembered by Coronation Street fans, Ernest’s dramatic exit from the soap is still one of the most memorable moments in the show’s history.”
Stephen leaves behind two daughters, Gemma and Phyllida.
Our thoughts are with them and all those who knew him at this sad time.