Malcolm Hebden

Malcolm Hebden is an English television and stage actor known for his role as Norris Cole in the long-running ITV soap opera Coronation Street. Hebden was born in Chester before his family moved to Burnley, Lancashire, three weeks later. He was educated at West Gate High School and began his career as a window dresser in Burnley. He was involved in amateur dramatics groups, one of which included Richard Moore, called The Highcliffe Players. When aged 28, he attended the Rose Bruford Drama School in London before beginning a career in theatre. Hebden first appeared in Coronation Street in 1974, as Mavis Riley's Spanish boyfriend Carlos. He first appeared as Norris Cole in Coronation Street (1960) in 1994 and left in 1997, before returning to the role in December 1999 for his current stint in the show. Hebden appeared as a shopkeeper in the film Lost for Words (1999) starring Thora Hird and Pete Postlethwaite. 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. In April 2008, Malcolm Hebden suggested to Coronation Street producers that Andrew Sachs should have a guest role in the soap playing Norris's brother, an idea they accepted.