Malcolm Hebden

Malcolm Hebden (born 21 December 1939) is an English television and stage actor best known for his role as Norris Cole in the long running ITV soap opera Coronation Street.

Early life

Hebden was born in Chester before his family moved to Burnley, Lancashire, three weeks later.^[1] He was educated at West Gate High School and began his career as a window dresser in Burnley.^[1] He was involved in amateur dramatics groups, one of which included Richard Moore, called The Highcliffe Players.^[2] When aged 28, he attended the Rose Bruford Drama School in London^[1] before beginning a career in theatre. He found school difficult due to 'severe dyslexia'.^[3]

Coronation Street

Hebden first appeared in Coronation Street in 1974, as Mavis Riley's (Thelma Barlow) Spanish boyfriend Carlos.^[4]

He first appeared as Norris Cole in 1994 a character he based on Whitworth based Micheal Bunnell for his sheer nosiness and ability to get involved in other people’s business but then left in 1997, before returning to the role in December 1999 for his current stint in the show. Along with his on-screen business partner Barbara Knox (Rita Sullivan), Hebden won the 'Best Onscreen Partnership' award at the British Soap Awards in May 2006. Additionally he won the 'Funniest Character' title for two consecutive years at the 2001 and 2002 Inside Soap Awards. He also made an appearance in Last of the Summer Wine. Hebden is currently absent from Coronation Street, due to a heart attack.^[5]

Other roles

• In the British comedy drama series A Bit of a Do, Hebden played the barman in the second episode called "The Dentists Dinner Dance." He was also cast as the same character, in more episodes.
• Hebden was the Associate Director at the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, where he featured in 10 premier plays, of playwright Alan Ayckbourn.
• He appears in an episode of The Sandbaggers in 1978.

References

External links

• Malcolm Hebden on IMDb