10 August 2025, 18:11 | Updated: 10 August 2025, 22:33<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Actor and narrator Ray Brooks has died at the age of 86.<\/p>\n
Picture: English actor Ray Brooks has died at the age of 86 after a short illness. \t<\/p>\n Brooks was best known for narrating the 1970s children’s TV show Mr Benn and for his role in EastEnders playing Joe Macer, who killed his wife Pauline Fowler. \t<\/p>\n The actor died peacefully on Saturday with his loved ones at his bedside, according to a statement shared by his family with the BBC. \t<\/p>\n The statement also revealed that Brooks had spent the last few years living with dementia. \t<\/p>\n Brooks starred in the British comedy film ‘The Knack …and How to Get It’.<\/p>\n Picture: Picture: Brooks’ sons, Will and Tom, 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.” \t<\/p>\n The cartoon Mr Benn, narrated by Brooks, follows the character who enters a magical costume shop and travels to new places based on the costumes he wears. \t<\/p>\n Despite the cartoon only releasing 13 episodes, it became well known for generations of children as episodes were repeated twice a year for more than 21 years. \t<\/p>\n Brooks starred in Ken Loach’s Cathy Come Home.<\/p>\n Picture: British actors Ray Brooks and Janet Key who appeared together in a new television series ‘Running Wild’.<\/p>\n Picture: Brooks went on to appear in a host of different primetime television shows including ITV’s Coronation Street, in which he played Norman Philips. \t<\/p>\n He also starred in the BBC comedy drama Big Deal, which followed gambler Robbie Box as he tried to make a living by betting while also trying to maintain his relationship with Jan, played by Sharon Duce. \t<\/p>\n Brooks earned himself a number of film credits, including a role in The Knack… And How To Get It, which won the 1965 Palme D’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. \t<\/p>\n A year later he starred in Ken Loach’s Cathy Come Home, which documented the impact of Britain’s housing shortage in the late 1960s.<\/p>\n Brooks at the Grand Hotel in Brighton back in 2004.<\/p>\n Picture:
\nAlamy
\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\n![\"Facebook](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/facebook-share.png\"\/)
\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\nGetty
\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\nAlamy
\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\nAlamy
\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\nGetty
\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n
\nAlamy
\n<\/a><\/p>\n