Coronation Street actor James Laurenson has died at the age of 84.
The actor had a stellar five decade career in TV and film and also appeared in hit netflix royal series The Crown. He made his film debut in 1969 with a small part in Ken Russell's Women In Love. Laurenson also made history for performing the first gay kiss on television with Ian McKellen. The groundbreaking moment came in a 1970 TV adaptation of Christopher Marlowe's Edward II. The scene came three years after the decriminalisation of homosexuality.
He also appeared in Coronation Street in 1968 as the Reverend Peter Hope of St Mary's Church and went on to star in much-loved shows including Spooks, Taggart, Prime Suspect and Midsomer Murders. In 2011 he was nominated for an Olivier award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his portrayal of the Ghost and the Player King in Nicholas Hytner’s acclaimed production of Hamlet.
He is survived by his second wife, Cari Haysom, and by his son Jamie from his first marriage. James' first marriage was to actress Carol Macready, but ended in 1997. The actor was born in New Zealand and once recalled his earliest memory was "seeing a Lockheed Hudson flying over our house and being told that my father was in it". His dad also had a passion for the arts as he was an amateur actor.
He attended Canterbury University College in Christchurch, before heading to London. James admitted "the first thing I learnt is that it is really hard to find work and be offered scripts". He shared the harsh reality of the profession: "You have to have a passion for acting – Hollywood might come knocking but on the other hand you may spend vast amounts of the time unemployed.”
In the 1990s, James moved from London to Frome in Somerset. He became a regular in the Peter Hall Company summer festival productions at the Theatre Royal, Bath as well as heading out on tour. James once revealed to the Western Daily Press how he spent time away from the spotlight, saying he relaxed by “walking our dog, Maisie, down by the River Mells”.
He said he was happiest when “tucked up with my lady listening to Oscar Peterson and Dizzie Gillespie playing If I Were a Bell”. Tributes have poured in for the actor following his death as one fan shared: "Very sad to hear that James Laurenson has died. He was a wonderful actor and I count myself lucky that I saw him at the RSC a few times. He seemed like a gentle soul. His way with words was exemplary, giving feeling and resonance to pretty much any script he worked with. RIP."
Another added: "I'm very sorry to hear that superb actor James Laurenson has died. I saw him many times over the years on stage, and even if I did not much fancy the play, if his name was on the cast list, I bought a ticket. I was never disappointed. RIP."
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