Coronation Street’s Geoffrey Hinsliff dies at 87

Geoffrey Hinsliff, famous for portraying Don Brennan, has passed away at 87 with his cause of death unknown.

Geoffrey Hinsliff, renowned for his portrayal of Don Brennan in Coronation Street, has passed away at the age of 87, as confirmed by the ITV soap. 

Hinsliff played one of the soap's most memorable characters from 1987 to 1997, leaving an indelible mark on British television.

While Coronation Street was where he made his lasting impression, Geoffrey first appeared on the show in smaller roles during the 1960s and 1970s before landing his iconic character. 

His portrayal of Don Brennan featured dramatic storylines, including kidnapping and attempted murder, making him a villain fans won't soon forget. 

One of his most infamous story arcs involved Don purchasing MVB motors from Mike Baldwin, only to harbour deep resentment as the garage failed. This culminated in Don's attempt to kill Baldwin, leading to his own demise in a fiery car crash.

Fellow cast member Helen Worth, who plays Gail Platt, paid tribute to Hinsliff: “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.”

Hinsliff's acting career spanned multiple decades. Born in Leeds in 1937, he studied at RADA and appeared in television series like Z-Cars, The Professionals, and Doctor Who. His versatility also saw him perform on stage, including a role in Uncle Vanya at Leeds Playhouse.

Geoffrey is survived by his wife, Judith E Seel, and their two children.