Star of Waiting For God and Cabin Pressure

Stephanie Cole – whose comedy roles included Waiting For God, Cabin Pressure and Open All Hours – has died at the age of 84.

A statement from her agent John Grant, issued on behalf of her family, said the actress had been living with Alzheimer's for several years.

It read: ‘It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Stephanie Cole, OBE. She passed away this morning at the age of 84. Stephanie had been living with Alzheimer’s disease for some years.

'Stephanie was an extraordinary talent whose long and distinguished career included many iconic performances in theatre and television. She brought joy to millions through her many much-loved roles in sitcom and drama. She will also be remembered for her tireless work supporting mental health charities.’

Cole came to prominence playing the resilient Dr Beatrice Mason in the 1980s BBC drama Tenko, set in a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp.

She also played the grouchy customer Mrs Delphine Featherstone opposite Ronnie Barker in Open All Hours, reprising her role in Still Open All Hours.

In TV comedy, Cole is probably best known for starring as the cantankerous, sharp-tongued former photojournalist Diana Trent in Waiting For God, playing opposite Graham Crowden as the dreamy, gentle Tom Ballard. Though set in a care home, Cole was just 49 when the show began.

Cole followed it with a run of comic and comedy-drama roles, including Doc Martin, in which she played the acerbic, meddling Joan, aunt of Martin Clunes's irascible GP. 

 On radio, she played Carolyn Knapp-Shappey in John Finnemore’s sitcom Cabin Pressure alongside Benedict Cumberbatch.

She once told the Guardian: ‘One of the joys of my character was how strong and feisty she is: she had the upper hand over the men, for the most part, Carolyn told it like it was and took no shot. We've all met women like her. She was very easy to put on, and I confess perhaps there's a little of her bossiness in me."

Her last major TV role was appearing opposite Greg Davies in The Cleaner in 2021 as Vivienne Hosier, the owner of a grand stately home, pictured above.

Cole was made an OBE in 2005, for her services to drama, the elderly and mental health charities. She is survived by a daughter, Emma Battcock.

Published: 18 Sep 2026