Actor Ray Brooks has died at the age of 86.

He was one of the few actors to star in both EastEnders and Coronation Street. The star was famed as the voice of the iconic 1970s BBC show Mr Benn and also appeared in major films such as Richard Lester’s The Knack… and How to Get It (1965).

Brooks, whose career spanned five decades, died on Saturday (August 9) after a short illness, his family confirmed. His sons Will and Tom said their dad thought he was best known for Mr Benn, “with people continually asking him to say the catchphrase ‘as if by magic!'”

They said in their statement to the BBC: “Although only 13 episodes were made, they were repeated twice a year for 21 years.” They revealed he had been living with dementia in his final years.”

They explained their dad did not like the spotlight, adding: “His three true loves were family, Fulham Football Club, and spending time in Brighton, where he was born.”

Fans have paid tribute to the actor following his passing. One wrote on X: “RIP, that’s sad. 86 is a good innings. Good actor and terrific voice.”

Another wrote: “Sad news – another wonderful actor from the iconic Cathy Come Home to Big Deal & EastEnders. And for countless generations, the wonderful voice of Mr Benn.”

Ray played the character of Joe Macer in EastEnders from 2002 until 2007. His final appearance came when Joe confessed to the killing of his late wife Pauline Fowler (Wendy Richard) and fell to his death from a window.

Almost fifty years before that, he’d appeared on another famous soap. In 1964, he played the recurring character of Norman Phillips in ITV’s Coronation Street.

But he had a number of other notable TV roles, including his part in the ground-breaking 1966 drama Cathy Come Home. The BBC television play about homelessness was voted the second-best British TV drama ever made in the BFI TV 100.

Brooks also starred in the BBC comedy drama Big Deal, co-starring with Sharon Duce. He also played David Campbell in the 1966 Doctor Who film Daleks’ Invasion Earth 2150 A.D.