Ruth Madoc: Hi-de-Hi! actress dies aged 79

[Englishboy]

I used to love watching Hi-de-Hi in the 1980s.

I’m not sure however that it would seem so funny by today’s standards.

Ruth Madoc: Hi-de-Hi! actress dies aged 79

The actress died in hospital on Friday after surgery for a fall earlier in the week, her agent says.

www.bbc.co.uk

Actress Ruth Madoc, who starred in the BBC sitcom Hi-de-Hi!, has died aged 79, her agent says
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Her agent said she died in hospital on Friday afternoon after surgery for a fall she had earlier in the week.

Phil Belfield of talent agency Belfield & Ward Ltd described her as a "unique talent loved by many".

He paid tribute to her "iconic" TV performance as Gladys Pugh in the 1980s comedy Hi-de-Hi!, about a holiday camp in the late 50s.

"It is with much sadness that we have to announce the death of our dear and much loved client Ruth Madoc," he said in a statement.

Describing her as a "real legend of the British entertainment scene", Mr Belfield said she was "gone far too soon".

Her fall forced her to withdraw from performing in the pantomime Aladdin at the Princess Theatre in Torquay, Devon.

Born in April 1943, and raised in Llansamlet near Swansea, Madoc trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.

Her career spanned many roles in theatre and musicals, including Fiddler On The Roof and Gypsy.

Her more recent performances included Little Britain and on stage with Calendar Girls.

 

[Barbara Fan]

Awh thats really sad - hearing she had a fall and then passed away

I also used to love HI de Hi back in the 80s - im sure it would look very dated now

Hello Campers

and RIP Ruth Madoc - always think of her former husband in Dads Army as the captive German

("Dont tell him Pike")

 

[Luke_Krebbs_Ewing]

Lovely actor.

How very sad, she was great in Hi-de-hi.

May she Rest In Peace

 

[Angela Channing]

I never watched Hi-De-Hi but I remember her from the TV series The Life and Times of David Lloyd George in which she starred with her then husband Philip. I also saw her in the West End farce Run For You Wife, in which she starred with her Hi-De-Hi co-star Jeffrey Holland and the evening I went to see it Paul Shane was in the audience. The cast of that series seemed like a close bunch.

Sad news, even more so that her death was precipitated by an accident.

 

[Mel O'Drama]

I was saddened to hear about this earlier today, and it's a little mind-blowing to think that she was 79 since she seemed so ageless.

Loved her in Hi-de-Hi!, especially the waspish little exchanges between Gladys and Sylvia, and those scenes where Gladys's lusting would make Geoffrey particularly uncomfortable. And of course all the tannoy announcements:

She was also memorable in a small role in Little Britain, as Daffydd's mother, casually reeling off some filthy dialogue as she enquires after her son's sex life.

Most recently I've watched her in some episodes of Give Us A Clue. Needless to say she was as reliable as ever.

 

[Luke_Krebbs_Ewing]

I never watched Hi-De-Hi but I remember her from the TV series The Life and Times of David Lloyd George in which she starred with her then husband Philip. I also saw her in the West End farce Run For You Wife, in which she starred with her Hi-De-Hi co-star Jeffrey Holland and the evening I went to see it Paul Shane was in the audience. The cast of that series seemed like a close bunch.

Sad news, even more so that her death was precipitated by an accident.

Yeah and unfortunately it isn't the first time that a well known actor has passed away like this.

Nicholas Smith who famously played Mr. Rumbold in Are You Being Served? passed away due to a tragic fall.

I only hope that they didn't suffer.

 

[Luke_Krebbs_Ewing]

I'm going to have to get on eBay and get a copy of the complete series of Hi-de-Hi in the New Year.

Very sad news about Ruth.