Ray Brooks, whose TV career spanned five decades, has died aged 86.
The actor was best known for narrating the 1970’s children’s show Mr Benn, but also had notable roles in Cathy Comes Home, Big Deal and Running Wild.
He also was one of just a handful of actors to appear in both Coronation Street and EastEnders.
In the 1960s he played Norman Philips on the ITV soap, then 40 years later arrived in Albert Square, in which he played Joe Macer, who infamously murdered his wife Pauline Fowler.
Brooks died on Saturday after a short illness, his family told the BBC.
In a statement, his sons Will and Tom said their dad believed he was best known for Mr Benn, ‘with people continually asking him to say the catchphrase “as if by magic!”.’
The animated series followed the character who, after dressing up in a magical costume shop, would find himself experiencing a new adventure every episode.
‘Although only 13 episodes were made, they were repeated twice a year for 21 years,’ his sons added.
Other series Brooks appeared in throughout the 1960s and 1970s included Danger Man, Dixon of Dock Green, Emergency-Ward 10, The Avengers, Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) and Z Cars.
He also appeared in films like The Knack… and How to Get It, Carry On Abroad and in the Dr Who movie Daleks’ Invasion Earth: 2150 A.D.
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