The cobbles of Corrie have a shared history for the Cope family
MARTHA Cope is the daughter of the British TV icon Kenneth Cope who died at the age of 93.
The beloved actor, best known for his role as Jed Stone in Coronation Street, “passed away yesterday peacefully in his sleep”, his family announced on September 12, 2024.
Who is Martha Cope?
Martha Cope is a British actress that has played a role in many British soaps.
The soap star is the daughter of actor Kenneth Cope who died on September 12, 2024.
Martha is best known for her part as Sandy Gibson in EastEnders.
Over the years she has starred in two other big UK soaps including Coronation Street and Emmerdale.
She was born to parents Renny Lister and Kenneth Cope who were both actors.
Her father Kenneth Cope also had a role in the ITV soap opera.
He famously played petty criminal Jed Stone in two stints, and also reappeared in 2008 and 2009, when fans witnessed Kenneth’s character clashed with villain Tony Gordon (Gray O’Brien).
Kenneth met Martha’s mother, actress Renny Lister, while filming on the set of Coronation Street.
Her parents paths first crossed in 1961 when Cope was cast as the cheeky street trader Jed Stone, while Renny Lister played the role of Jean Stark.
We are deeply saddened by his passing
The Cope Family
It was during this time on the cobbles that Cope and Lister’s on-screen chemistry blossomed into a real-life romance that would span over six decades.
Martha grieves the loss of her famous father alongside her two brothers, Nick and Mark Cope.
A statement from Kenneth’s family read: “It is with great sadness the family wish to announce the passing of Kenneth Cope 14/04/1931 – 11/09/2024.
“Ken passed away yesterday peacefully in his sleep with his wife and family by his side.
“An incredible icon of British TV and film known famously for his role as Marty Hopkirk in Randall and Hopkirk, Jed Stone in Coronation Street as well as part of the Carry On team.
“His career spans six decades and contributed to some of the most iconic moments in British culture. Ken was a proud native Liverpudlian and a loyal supporter of Everton Football Club.
“He began his career in theatre quickly picking up many film and TV roles.
“He was a natural comedy actor and was a main contributor to the comedy series That Was The Week That Was and swiftly became a regular figure across the acting industry.
“We are deeply saddened by his passing and ask that his family are given privacy at this time. He is survived by his loving wife Renny Lister and his children Nick, Mark and Martha.”
When was Martha Cope in Coronation Street?
Martha appeared on Coronation Street as Joanne, a woman who briefly dated Kevin Webster in December 2015 and January 2016.
Albeit short, her stint on the soap added another chapter to the family’s deep-rooted association with Coronation Street, carrying forward the legacy started by her parents decades earlier.
When was Martha Cope in EastEnders?
Martha previously played the role of Sandy Gibson on EastEnders, the mother of Dotty Cotton.
The drug addict arrived on Albert Square in October 2021, and caused chaos for her daughter, even lying about who her biological father was.
Opening up about her EastEnders role, Martha said at the time: “I have watched EastEnders since it began and I’m beyond excited to join such an iconic show and having a great time playing Sandy.”
Sandy’s previous alcohol problems led her to a fleeting relationship with nasty Nick Cotton (John Altman), in which she became pregnant with Dotty and originally kept her secret.
The character had previously been seen in 2010 when Dotty was a child but was then played by actress Caroline Pegg.
When did Martha Cope first appear in Emmerdale?
Martha played DC Morden in Emmerdale between 2013 to 2014 investigating a fire at Home Farm.
She later appeared in the Dales again portraying a new character in September 2023.
The actress played the guest role of Sophie Grisham, the adoptive mother of Gail Loman and Ryan Stocks’ son Oscar.
An Emmerdale source previously told us: “She’s making a guest appearance but she has an unmatched soap pedigree so she’s bound to impress fans.”
What other TV shows has Martha Cope been in?
She has appeared in many programmes including Holby City, Men Behaving Badly, and Peak Practice.
Martha also starred in Family Affairs between 2002 and 2003 when she played the role of Anna Gregory.
The talented actress also played various parts over the years in Doctors, Casualty and The Bill in the early stages of her career in the 1990s.
