Coronation Street and Doctor Who star Michael McStay dies aged 92

Daily Mail​

20-05-2025

Coronation Street and Doctor Who star Michael McStay has died aged 92.
He is survived by his wife, the actress Jennifer Clulow, and their two sons Darius and Paul.
A representative for the British actor, who had a career in stage, screen and radio that spanned over 60 years, confirmed the news on Tuesday.
Michael died from heart failure, but 'went at peace' as he passed away in his sleep after Sunday lunch with his sons.
They shared: 'It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Michael McStay, an actor of the highest standing and talented writer, whose career across stage, screen and radio spanned over six decades.'
Michael found early fame in a series called No Hiding Place, and went on to appear in many films, including Peter Yates' Robbery, as well as TV dramas Doctor Who, Blunt, and Thatcher: The Final Days.
His last screen performance was in Coronation Street, taking over the character of Alan Hoyle from John Woodvine in 2011, where he was reunited again with his friend Johnny Briggs (playing Alec Baldwin).
He also wrote numerous plays for Radio 4 and the popular 1984 ITV comedy Pull the Other One.
Following the sad news of hid death, one fan wrote on social media platform X: 'Sad to see that Michael McStay has passed away. Absolutely adored him in Corrie as Alan Hoyle in the John Stape storyline.
'Both him and the late Jean Fergusson were brilliant in the basement episode.'
Last year, one fan met up with Michael, and shared a more recent image of the actor to social media.
They penned: 'Someone else I had the pleasure of meeting again yesterday was Michael McStay who at 91 was as sharp & witty to chat with as a man half his age.
'Known for playing Moberley in #DoctorWho The Seeds Of Doom (1976), he's also starred in The Avengers & The Persuaders!'
Michael also recorded audio books and appeared in numerous radio plays over the years.
He also spent time in France, and whilst there he starred in thirteen one-hour episodes of the French serial Le Mari de L'Ambassadeur for Koba Films, shown during prime time on Antenne 2.
Following the sad news of hid death, one fan wrote on social media platform X: 'Sad to see that Michael McStay has passed away.'
Michael studied a degree in Drama, French and Philosophy at Bristol University, where he spent 3 years.
He then spent two years of National Service as an officer posted in Cyprus, during the Cyprus Emergency, before returning to England to embark on his acting career.
He married actress Jennifer in 1967, herself a rising star of the time.
Jennifer is best know for her roles in The Avengers, Keeping Up Appearances, and No Hiding Place.
Between 1974 and 1988, Clulow appeared in a series of television commercials for Cointreau, playing an Englishwoman named Catherine flirting with a Frenchman (Christian Toma) over after-dinner liqueurs.
Known amongst his family and friends as a raconteur and for his humour, in his later years Michael became a more private man.
However, his writing continued to reflect a 'wry optimism for life,' and during an interview on Toby Hadoke's Happy Times and Places Podcast, he commented on the end of his career.
When asked: 'Did he regret not getting the role of James Bond?', his answer was no, as he had a loving family instead, which 'he wouldn't swap for all the success in the world', his son Darius shared.