Former Coronation Street star Geoff Hinsliff has died at the age of 86 after what has been described as "a short illness".

The actor played Don Brennan - the husband of Ivy Tilsley (Lynne Perrie) and later a vindictive enemy of Mike Baldwin (Johnny Briggs) - from 1987 to 1997.

A family statement read: "It is with great sadness that we confirm the death of Geoff Hinsliff, aged 86. He died at home surrounded by his family after a short illness.

"Geoff was a working-class boy from a family of five who left school in Leeds aged 15 with no qualifications, yet went on to study at RADA with a scholarship and to join the Royal Shakespeare Company.

"It was an English teacher who encouraged him to act and all his life he fervently believed in the power of education.

"He was restless, curious, adventurous and funny; he loved nothing better than setting the world to rights around the dinner table.

"But it was family and home that ultimately mattered to him most."

Helen Worth, who will soon be departing her Corrie role as Gail Platt after 50 years, said: "Geoff was a lovely, quiet man who will be sadly missed by us all.

"His partnership with Lynne Perry was something rather special and they gave the viewers huge pleasure for many years."

Geoffrey is survived by wife Judith and daughters Gaby and Sophie.