Veteran actor Ken Kitson, best known for roles in Coronation Street and Last of the Summer Wine, has disclosed that ongoing health issues have kept him off screens for the past seven years. The 80-year-old also revealed he is currently reliant on benefits and no longer has an agent.
In a Facebook post, Kitson shared a recent photo and a candid update with fans. He wrote: “All I can say is for the last seven years I’ve been going through many setbacks with illness. Because of this, I’m on Benefits, plus I no longer have an Agent/Manager to represent me. So to sum it up, although I miss working like crazy, at the moment I can’t see this 80-year-old in front of the Camera again.” He noted that he recently filmed a documentary about Last of the Summer Wine, set to air at Christmas or New Year, but otherwise expects his acting career, spanning 54 years, may be over.
Kitson began acting after working as a printer, training at East 15 Acting School. His screen debut came in 1972 as a fight arranger in The Adventures of Barry McKenzie. He played four different roles on Coronation Street between 1977 and 2005, including Jim Hinton and Mr Walker. He is perhaps best remembered as Sgt Cooper in Last of the Summer Wine, appearing in 88 episodes from 1983 to 2010, and reprising the role in a 2014 pilot that was not picked up.
Fans flooded his post with supportive messages. One wrote: “Wishing you comfort, peace, and all the quiet happiness you deserve. You are remembered, appreciated, and loved by so many.” Another said: “After 54 years of lighting up our screens and bringing so much warmth, laughter, and gentle humanity into our living rooms, you’ve more than earned the right to rest.”
Kitson also appeared in Emmerdale, Casualty, Heartbeat, and 35 episodes of The Ruth Rendell Mysteries. He expressed gratitude for the support and encouraged fans to enjoy repeats of his work.
