Malcolm Hebden has officially retired, and won’t be returning to ‘Coronation Street’.
Malcolm Hebden
The 81-year-old actor played busybody Norris Coles on the ITV soap for more than 1600 episodes spanning 27 years, but he has now revealed it’s time for him to leave Weatherfield for good, as he is officially retiring.
Malcolm quit acting last summer after a near-fatal heart attack in 2017, but had returned for the odd cameo in the soap before announcing he won’t be returning to the much-loved show again.
He told The Sun newspaper: “I absolutely adored playing Norris and I was pleased to be able to return briefly after my operation.
“It took a great deal of courage to make the decision to retire.
“But I had come to realise that although the mind was willing the body was not so much.”
Norris was a much loved character in the soap, and was best known for being a gossip, as well as working behind the counter at The Kabin newsagents.
Malcolm’s character left the cobbles in June 2019 to move to Stillwaters care home, but had made several guest appearances over the past year and a half.
And ‘Corrie’ producer Iain MacLeod said fans will be “desperately sad” to see him leave for good.
He explained: “Norris became an all-time great character, whose lemon-lipped barbs will be remembered forever.
“But, in his brilliant double acts with Emily, Rita and more recently Mary, Malcolm has left us with countless fantastic memories.”
Despite his departure, fans of Norris will still get to see him on screen one last time, as he’s set to be featured in an episode of ITV’s Icons series, which has showcased fellow characters including Liz McDonald and Roy Cropper.
A spokesperson for the soap said: “Whilst Malcolm enjoys his retirement at home, Norris will reside at Stillwaters off screen and will continue to be referenced in scripts.”
Tagged in Malcolm Hebden