Coronation Street star's family issue statement after sad death as Helen Worth leads soap tribute

The family of former Coronation Street star Geoff Hinsliff have issued a statement following his death, aged 86. Helen Worth led tributes to the actor as his death was announced on Thursday (September 19).

Geoff was best known for playing Don Brennan from 1987 to 1997. During his 10 years on the cobbles, Don bought MVB motors from Mike Baldwin but started to resent him when the garage went bust.

He then kidnapped Mike's wife Alma and drove their car into the canal, which they both survived. Don later tried to run Mike over but died when his car crashed into a viaduct and exploded.

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Geoff Hinsliff’s wife Judith and daughters Gaby and Sophie have row released a statement following his death. They said: “It is with great sadness that we confirm the death of Geoff Hinsliff, aged 86. He died at home surrounded by his family after a short illness.

"Geoff was a working-class boy from a family of five who left school in Leeds aged 15 with no qualifications, yet went on to study at RADA with a scholarship and to join the Royal Shakespeare Company. It was an English teacher who encouraged him to act and all his life he fervently believed in the power of education.

"He was restless, curious, adventurous and funny; he loved nothing better than setting the world to rights around the dinner table. But it was family and home that ultimately mattered to him most."

Outside of Corrie, he loved the stage and worked with directors Peter Brook and Lindsay Anderson, and “thoroughly enjoyed playing the forelock-tugging George Fairchild in the cult ITV satire Brass”, the family said.

They also said: "He is survived by his wife Judy, daughters Gaby and Sophie, and four grandchildren. We’d like to thank the palliative care team at Ashgate Hospice in Derbyshire and the NHS for their unstinting support and care."

Helen, who is famed for playing the role of Gail Platt in the ITV soap, said in her tribute: "Geoff was a lovely, quiet man who will be sadly missed by us all. His partnership with Lynne Perry was something rather special and they gave the viewers huge pleasure for many years."