Ruth Madoc: Hi-de-Hi! actress dies aged 79
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Actress Ruth Madoc, who starred in the BBC sitcom Hi-de-Hi!,
has died aged 79, her agent says.

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.

Screenwriter Russell T Davies described her as "funny, kind,
salty, shrewd and beautifully uncynical" in a tribute on
Instagram.

The Doctor Who writer and It's A Sin creator said she was
"one of those great old troupers who loved the business,
loved the stories, loved acting and actors".

"She starred as Myrtle in a series I wrote called Mine All
Mine, and she was an absolute delight."

Actor and broadcaster Sir Tony Robinson tweeted that he
was "so sad to hear my lovely friend... has passed".

He described Madoc as "smart, kindly, a loyal trade
unionist and wore her heart on the left".

Her role as chief yellowcoat Gladys Pugh in Hi-de-Hi!
centred on her unrequited love for the camp's manager
Jeffrey Fairbrother, played by Simon Cadell.

Paying tribute to her, broadcaster Gyles Brandreth said it
was through Cadell that he got to know Madoc.

"Ruth was a very lovely person - and a wonderfully gifted
actress," Brandreth said.

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,
where she played Daffyd Thomas's mother, and on stage with
Calendar Girls.

In a tweet, the former Little Britain star and comedian
Matt Lucas said he was "shocked and saddened" to hear the
news.

"We grew up watching her iconic and genius performance as
Gladys Pugh in Hi-de-Hi! and were thrilled when she agreed
to come on board 'Little Britain'," he added.

He said Madoc was "brilliant" in the show and "an absolute
delight to work with".

Madoc is survived by her two children.


<https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-63927507>

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