Biography
Stephanie Cole was an English stage, television, radio and film actress. She trained at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and began her career in repertory theatre.
She was known for roles including Dr Beatrice Mason in Tenko (1981–1985), Mrs Delphine Featherstone in Open All Hours (1982–1985) and its sequel series, Diana Trent in Waiting for God (1990–1994), Joan Norton in Doc Martin (2004–2009) and Sylvia Goodwin in Coronation Street (2011–2013). Other credits include Dame Lettie Colston in Memento Mori (1992), Muriel in Talking Heads (1988) and Mrs Waite in Housewife, 49 (2006). She received the 1992 British Comedy Award for Best TV Comedy Actress and the 2012 British Soap Award for Best Comedy Performance.
Cole was appointed OBE in 2005 for services to drama, the elderly and mental health charities. She died on 18 September 2026, aged 84.
