Coronation Street actor Michael McStay has passed away at the age of 92.

The sad news was shared by a representative for McStay, who wrote: “It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Michael McStay, an actor of the highest standing and talented writer, whose career across stage, screen and radio spanned over six decades.”

The actor died in his sleep from heart failure on Sunday (18 May) after spending time with his family.

McStay’s last TV credit was as Alan Hoyle in Coronation Street, a role which he took over from John Woodvine in 2011.

Alan was the father of Charlotte Hoyle, who was involved in the memorable John Stape storyline and killed on the night of the cobble’s tram crash.

John later held Alan, his wife Dorothy and Chesney Brown hostage in their cellar. Alan’s last appearance in the soap was during Fiz’s murder trial.

McStay’s Coronation Street role reunited him with Mike Baldwin actor Johnny Briggs, who he had starred alongside in TV series No Hiding Place in 1959.

In 1976, McStay appeared in Doctor Who serial The Seeds of Doom, playing Derek Moberley alongside the Fourth Doctor Tom Baker.

McStay had also been in the running to play James Bond after Sean Connery left the role.

Reflecting on his brush with Bond in 007 Magazine, McStay said: “Your life changes totally when you play Bond, so I don’t think I would have wanted it.”

Admitting that he didn’t think he could have delivered the spy’s one-liners, McStay added: “I’ve played a lot of policemen and a lot of villains and somewhere between those two there is James Bond.

“But those one-liners would have still worried me a great deal.”

McStay is survived by his wife Jennifer Clulow, an actor who he worked with on No Hiding Place.