Hi-de-Hi! The death of actress Ruth Madoc has been confirmed by her agent, and she was 79 years old when she died away.
The Welsh actress, who was best known for her iconic role as Gladys Pugh in the 1980s BBC sitcom about a holiday camp in the late 1950s, passed away on Friday afternoon in the hospital after undergoing surgery for an accident she had suffered earlier in the week.
Her death was a tragic loss, as she was best known for her role in the sitcom. In addition to that, Ruth was well-known for her roles in the television shows Calendar Girls, Little Britain, and Benidorm.
In a statement, her agent Phil Belfield of the talent agency Belfield & Ward Ltd said, “It is with much regret that we have to announce the passing of our dear and much valued client Ruth Madoc.” Ruth Madoc was an actress.
Her agent continued by saying that she was a “unique talent loved by many” and that she had “passed away on the afternoon of Friday, 9th December while in hospital following surgery for a fall she had earlier in the week, which had led to her having to withdraw from panto in Torquay.” The fall had caused her to have to withdraw from the panto that was scheduled to take place in Torquay.
“She was truly a national treasure, and she was looking forward to getting back on the road in 2023 with The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Her film work included Fiddler on the Roof and Under Milk Wood with Richard Burton, as well as her iconic television performance as Gladys Pugh in Hi De Hi! and more recently in Little Britain. She also appeared on stage with Calendar Girls (both the play and the musical).
“She was one of a kind and a one-of-a-kind talent, and many people adored her. She was a real legend in the British entertainment industry. She was taken from us much too soon. Our hearts have been shattered!
All of her family, including her daughter Lowri and her son Rhys, are in our thoughts and prayers at this time.
A production of Aladdin was scheduled to take place at the Princess Theatre in Torquay, and Ruth was one of the cast members. The theater group had already informed her that she would not be able to participate in the pantomime before it was announced that she had passed away.
They posted the following on their Twitter account on Thursday: “Regrettably, due to an accident that occurred earlier this week, and following a medical evaluation, Ruth Madoc will no longer be able to act in this year’s pantomime of Aladdin at the Princess Theatre in Torquay.”
