EASTENDERS and Coronation Street star Ray Brooks has died aged 86.

The much-loved actor, who narrated the classic 1970s children’s show Mr Benn, passed away after a short illness.

He died on Saturday after a short illness, according to his family.

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.”

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

Ray’s career spanned five decades and saw him take on a number of roles that made him a familiar face and voice.

Ray played the male lead in the ground-breaking 1960s BBC 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.

And he became one of few actors to appear in both Coronation Street and EastEnders.

Ray played Norman Philips in the ITV soap in the 1960s, and arrived in Albert Square 40 years later to portray Joe Macer, who infamously murdered his wife Pauline Fowler.

Throughout his career his remarkable voice saw him land several roles as narrator, not least on the beloved children’s show Mr Benn.

Ray also appeared on The Pickwick Papers and racked up 30 episodes reading the stories to young viewers in Jackanory.

He also voiced thousands of adverts for companies including Guinness, Whiskas, Marmite and R Whites Lemonade.

Fans have paid tribute to the actor following his passing.

One wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “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 also appeared on TV shows in a number of roles including Danger Man, Dixon of Dock Green, Emergency-Ward 10, The Avengers, Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) and Z Cars.

He also had a number of film successes, including in the 1965 film The Knack… and How to Get It, which won the Palme D’Or at the Cannes Film Festival.

Ray played Georgio, the waiter in the crumbling hotel, in Carry On Abroad in 1972, and also appeared in the 1966 Dr Who movie Daleks’ Invasion Earth: 2150 A.D.

The talented actor even enjoyed appearances in the theatre.

He starred in Alan Ayckbourn’s Absent Friends alongside Richard Briers, Peter Bowles and Phyllida Law.

Ray also took to the stage opposite Felicity Kendal in Tom Stoppard’s On The Razzle.