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.
Coronation Street(1960)as Norris Cole, Carlos
Coronation Street: A Knight's Tale(2010)as Norris Cole
Coronation Street: Tram Crash(2010)as Norris Cole
Coronation Street: Pantomime(2005)as Ugly Sister
Dancing on Ice(2006)as Self
Barbara Knox at 90(2023)as Self
Coronation Street Icons(2019)as Self
Coronation Street at Christmas(2019)as Self
The British Soap Awards 2017(2017)as Self
Coronation Street: Compilations(2020)as Norris Cole
The Stars of the Street: 50 Years, 50 Classic Characters(2010)as Norris Cole
