Best known for playing Gladys Pugh in BBC sitcom Hi-de-Hi!, Ruth Madoc has sadly passed away aged 79.

Madoc’s agent revealed that she died in hospital on Friday afternoon (9 December) following surgery for a fall she’d had earlier in the week, which forced her to withdraw from Aladdin at Torquay’s Princess Theatre this Christmas.

One of her more recent stage credits includes both the play and musical production of Calendar Girls. She was also set to appear in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel on tour from next February.

She is survived by her two children.

Our thoughts are with her friends and family at this difficult time.