Actor Ray Brooks famous for the voice of Mr Benn dies aged 86

Actor Ray Brooks, who found fame as the voice of the 1970s TV character Mr Benn, has died at the age of 86. 

The star, who became one of just a few actors to star in both Coronation Street and EastEnders, had a career spanning five decades. 

As well as his work in soap and children’s TV, Ray also starred in primetime 1980s programme Big Deal, where he starred as gambler Robbie Box, and 1960s BBC drama Cathy Come Home.

In a statement to the BBC, Ray’s sons Will and Tom confirmed that he had passed away after a short illness. 

Will and Tom said that Ray died peacefully on Saturday with his family at his bedside, and they revealed he had been living with dementia in his final years. 

Ray shared his sons with wife Sadie, who he married in 2916. The couple also had a daughter Emma, who died in 2003.

The brothers said that their dad thought he was best known as an actor for narrating the 1970s TV show Mr Benn.

They added that Ray would have ‘people continually asking him to say the catchphrase “as if by magic!”‘

They added: ‘Although only 13 episodes were made, they were repeated twice a year for 21 years.’

Ray appeared in ITV soap Coronation Street in 1964 as Norman Phillips as a recurring character.

Almost fifty years later, Ray joined the cast of BBC’s rival soap EastEnders as Joe Macer in 2005.

Ray’s final appearance was on the show was in January 2007 when his character confessed to killing his wife Pauline at Christmas.

Joe later fell from a window to his death.

Ray’s sons said however that their dad was not a fan of the limelight, adding: ‘His three true loves were family, Fulham Football Club, and spending time in Brighton, where he was born.’

Speaking about his career to Sussex Life, Ray previously said: ‘I was naive, […] I thought casting directors would come to me. 

‘But although people did offer me work, very often the films didn’t materialise because they couldn’t get the money together. 

‘And, actually, I don’t think I was ever that good an actor. I was more an image of a young man.’

He added: ‘I was never as good looking as, say, my contemporary, David Hemmings. 

‘And don’t forget this was the period of Terence Stamp. So there was a lot of competition.’