Archive August 10, 2025

Legendary actor Ray Brooks has died at the age of 86, his family has confirmed. The actor, who is one of the few actors to appear in both Coronation Street and EastEnders, died on Saturday after a short illness, his family told the BBC.

He was also the famous voice of Mr Benn, narrating the classic 1970s children’s show. The actor’s sons Will and Tom shared a touching statement to confirm his death.

They said that while their father thought he was best known for his role on Mr Benn, people would be “continually asking him to say the catchphrase ‘as if by magic!'”.

In the cartoon, the character was always dressed in a black lounge suit and bowler hat. In each episode of the iconic children’s animation which, surprisingly, only ran on the BBC from 1971 to 1972, Mr Benn would leave his house at 52 Festive Road, London, and visit a fancy-dress costume shop.

There, he would inevitably be invited by the moustachioed, fez-wearing shopkeeper to try on a particular outfit – and end up going on a magical adventure.

In the statement to the BBC, his family added: “Although only 13 episodes were made, they were repeated twice a year for 21 years.”

And the family’s moving statement also said: “His three true loves were family [he also had a daughter Emma, who died in 2003], Fulham Football Club, and spending time in Brighton, where he was born..”

In the soap world, Ray joined the Corrie cobbles in the 1960s, taking up the role as Norman Philips in the long-running ITV soap. Almost 40 years later, he switched allegiances, joining BBC’s EastEnders as Joe Macer.

His character will be best remembered for murdering his wife Pauline Fowler. but throughout his long career in showbiz, Ray also had a large resume to look back on.

After being the male lead in the ground-breaking 1960s BBC drama Cathy Come Home, he later starred in 1980s hit Big Deal. He played the part of Robbie Box and the series before later appearing in Running Wild as the comic lead Max Wild.

Other roles included appearances on Danger Man, Dixon of Dock Green, Emergency-Ward 10, The Avengers, Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) and Z Cars.

And Ray also had success on the big screen too. Movie appearances came on the likes of Carry On Abroad in 1972, and also the 1966 Dr Who movie Daleks’ Invasion Earth: 2150 A.D.

In the theatre world he played roles in Alan Ayckbourn’s Absent Friends alongside Richard Briers, Peter Bowles and Phyllida Law, while also featuring in Tom Stoppard’s On The Razzle.

And his voiceover success didn’t just stop at Mr Benn. Ray also voiced thousands of adverts for huge companies. These included the likes of Guinness, Whiskas, Marmite and R Whites Lemonade.

Speaking about his career to Sussex Life, the humble actor once confessed, “I don’t think I was ever that good an actor. I was more an image of a young man. 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.’

The family revealed that Brooks had lived with dementia for the past few years, but died peacefully on Saturday with his family at his bedside.

Fans of Ray’s work were quick to pay tribute to him on social media following the sad news. One Twitter/X account wrote: “Well, this is sad. Ray Brooks has died. As 80s kids, a lot of us will know him as the voice of Mr Ben. “

“In later life, I’ve become a big fan of Big Deal (usually watch every other year) where he played Robbie Box. RIP Ray.”

Another added: “Our lovely friend Ray Brooks has left us for the cinema in the sky. His talents knew ‘The Knack,’ was always a ‘Big Deal’ and he will be forever the voice of ‘Mr Benn.’ Rest in peace dear friend.”

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs onTikTok,Snapchat,Instagram,Twitter,Facebook,YouTubeandThreads.

Lady Wilnelia, widow of late entertainment star Bruce Forsyth, has revealed she would be open to falling in love again as she tells the Mirror she has ‘no idea what the future holds’

Bruce Forsyth’s widow Lady Wilnelia Forsyth is considering dating again – eight years after the late Strictly legend’s death.

Asked about the prospect of falling in love again, the 67-year-old nodded enthusiastically as she told the Mirror, “’I’ve no idea what is in the future for me. But I am really happy.”

The Puerto Rican beauty, 67, was married to former Strictly host Bruce for 34 years until his death in 2017, aged 89, closing the curtain on a stellar 75-year career in the entertainment business. It comes after reports of Victoria Beckham’s four-word comment to Geri Horner amid Spice Girls ‘feud’.

READ MORE: Gregg Wallace trying to ‘earn a living’ after MasterChef exit amid ‘battle every day’READ MORE: Cruz Beckham ‘steals’ his dad’s tiny white trunks and family have epic response

The former actress and beauty queen, who won Miss World 1975, tells us she is in a great place, and believes the secret to her youthful looks is ‘trying to be happy’ and the fact that she’s ‘just put a few pounds on’.

But she also admits that the last eight years, trying to create a whole new routine since the loss of her beloved husband – with whom she shares grow-up son Jonathan Joseph, 39, have not been easy.

‘It is difficult… But you know, what can you do? I always think, at least I am surrounded by all my family. I spend time in Puerto Rico as well and I keep very busy with all the different charities that I support. And I play golf, a lot of golf now. My handicap is 24. I’m getting there.’”

Lady Wilnelia, whose late husband was a famously keen golfer and would regularly take part in pro-celebrity golf tournaments, believes he’d be very proud of her newfound sporting passion. “He would love it. I am the Vice President of Variety Golf. He would have been very impressed with it, I think!”’

The former model is certainly keeping herself busy, with trips back to her native country, and attending high-profile recent events such as Ascot. “ I have done so many things, I’ve been going out everywhere. ‘It has been wonderful. Really lovely.’

As for Bruce’s family, Lady Wilnelia says she still remains in touch with them. “I’ve just been celebrating the birthday of one of my step daughters – she was 70 – I don’t know how that happened.’

Her latest project is a new charity started back home, in her late parents’ memory. ‘I started a new charity in Puerto Rico because my father and mother both passed away and they both had Alzheimer’s. I was a caregiver – and this is for the caregivers.”

She adds, “We are also going to have a gala at some point, celebrating my 50 years of winning Miss World. Imagine, I don’t know where time has gone!”

When Lady Wilnelia tied the knot with Bruce, it was third time happy for the seasoned entertainer – after two failed marriages before her.

Sir Bruce met his first wife, Penny Calvert, at London’s Windmill Theatre, when he was in his 20s. The couple married in 1953 and lasted 20 years, the couple going on to have three daughters: Debbie, Julie and Laura, but theirs would prove a turbulent union.

In 1971, the presenter launched The Generation Game on the BBC with former Bunny Girl and glamour model Anthea Redfern – and affair a passionate affair, the pair got married on Christmas Eve 1973, five months after Sir Bruce’s divorce from Penny was finalised.

That marriage lasted six years, and the couple welcomed two daughters, Charlotte and Louisa – but ended when Anthea admitted adultery with another man.

Though he went through two divorces, had six children and a smattering of extra-marital affairs, Sir Bruce’s private life after tying the knot with Lady Wilnelia – who in later years devotedly nursed her husband through several bouts of ill-health, was happy and conflict-free..

Despite their 29-year age-gap – she was 23 when they met, he 52 – they remained devoted for more than three decades, and Sir Bruce would say on more than one occasion that meeting his third wife was one of the ‘luckiest moments’ in his life.

Britain’s Got Talent star Amanda Holden showed off her incredibly toned figure in a tiny bikini as she twinned with her 19-year-old model daughter while on holiday to Greece

Radio and TV star Amanda Holden showed off her toned body as she posed up a storm while on holiday in Greece with her lookalike daughter, Lexi Hughes. The pair looked stunning as they soaked up the sun and enjoyed some family time while on a boat.

The 54-year-old stunned in a white bikini paired with a bandana tied around her head and some stylish oversized sunglasses. Amanda looked relaxed as she lay by the sea with a drink in one hand.

It appears that the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree, as daughter Lexi has also been sharing some stunning snaps with her followers online. Lexi shared a similar style photo wearing an almost identical two-piece. It comes after Princess Andre says she’s ‘independent’ from parents as she breaks silence after Katie Price row.

READ MORE: Katie Price worries fans with appearance in family photo after explaining weight loss READ MORE: Taylor Swift sparks engagement rumours as fans spot Travis Kelce’s lock screen

Lexi, who is signed to Storm Model Management, has already strutted her stuff at London Fashion Week and dazzled in a string of glamorous shoots.

The model, whom Amanda shares with her husband Chris Hughes, has been following in her mother’s famous footsteps into the showbiz world. The Britain’s Got Talent star’s boyfriend made her catwalk debut at London Fashion Week last September as she walked for Tran Hung’s show.

Lexi revealed after the show that, while she was ‘so nervous’, it was ‘so much fun’. She said: I was so nervous but I really enjoyed the experience. The other models were really nice to me backstage, and it was so much fun. The show was so beautiful and the brand and designers are visionaries – passionate about sustainability with 90% of the raw materials they use being environmentally friendly”, The DailyMail reported.

Amanda couldn’t have been prouder as she watched from the front row. She said: “’We couldn’t have been more proud of our daughter this evening walking in her first LFW show.

“This year has been a significant one for her she has worked really hard with her A levels and she got herself into a top University. Chris and I love her to bits, and her little sister Hollie looks up to her so much. It’s a wonderful moment for her.”

Amanda has never been shy about sharing her pride in her daughter, both for her looks and her character. After Lexi finished her A-Levels, the proud mum posted an emotional message: “Brilliant, funny, resilient… the world is yours. Go and live the biggest possible life.”

It follows after Amanda recently gave followers a rare glimpse into her private life, with a romantic photo of her and husband Chris Hughes.

The star posted the picture to Instagram on Friday, where she could be seen beaming in the arms of her long-haired husband who she has been married since 2008 after they first met in 2003. The TV star captioned the post with her husband: “To the moon and back….8:8” with a heart and a moon emoji.