Malcolm Hebden, the beloved actor behind Coronation Street's iconic busybody Norris Cole, stepped away from the cobbles over five years ago following a serious health crisis. His departure marked the end of a 27-year tenure that made him a staple of the ITV soap.
A Soap Legend's Career and Health Crisis
Hebden first appeared on the famous street as Norris Cole in 1994, though he had a brief earlier role as Carlos in the 1970s. He became a fan favourite, appearing in more than 1,600 episodes and winning Funniest Character at the Inside Soap Awards in both 2001 and 2002.
His most memorable storylines involved his complex relationship with Mary Taylor, played by Patti Clare, and his long-running feud with Emily Bishop, portrayed by Eileen Derbyshire.
However, his time on the show was cut short by a severe health scare. In late 2017, Hebden suffered a near-fatal heart attack. He revealed to the Blackpool Gazette that he initially visited his GP for a chest infection, only to be rushed to Royal Blackburn Hospital by emergency ambulance after tests showed he had suffered at least one heart attack.
Groundbreaking Treatment and Recovery
The actor's condition was critical. After collapsing, he was transferred to Blackpool Victoria Hospital for what his surgeon described as a 'ground-breaking' procedure. The heart attack had torn a hole in his heart.
To repair the extensive damage, surgeons performed a unique operation, using tissue from a cow to essentially 'wallpaper' his heart. Hebden spent almost three months in hospital, part of that time in a coma, before being discharged in late February.
He made a brief return to Coronation Street in March 2019, but his final appearance was in June 2020. His character was later written out, with Norris dying from a stroke off-screen. In January 2021, at the age of 81, Hebden formally announced his retirement from acting, telling The Sun it took 'a great deal of courage' to make that decision.
Life After Weatherfield
Despite retiring, Hebden has not completely vanished from the public eye. In October 2023, he appeared in the documentary special Barbara Knox at 90, celebrating his former co-star's milestone birthday.
More recently, in 2025, he made a nostalgic trip back to the Coronation Street set to support Sam Aston, who plays Chesney Brown, while Aston was competing on Dancing on Ice. The pair reminisced about their early days working together, with Aston recalling Hebden's advice: 'know your lines and don't be late.' Hebden affectionately referred to Sam as his surrogate grandson during the emotional visit.
Malcolm Hebden's legacy as the inimitable Norris Cole remains intact, a testament to his decades of work on one of Britain's most cherished television institutions.
