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Matt Lucas and Sir Tony Robinson lead tributes to Ruth Madoc after Hi-de-Hi! actress’ death aged 79-Ruth Lawes-Entertainment – Metro
Madoc was a star of the stage and screen.
Madoc’s agent confirmed her death at the weekend (Picture: Shutterstock)
Matt Lucas and Sir Tony Robinson are among those paying tribute to Hi-De-Hi! star Ruth Madoc.
The actress became a household name playing chief yellowcoat Gladys Pugh in BBC One’s hugely successful TV series about a holiday camp in the late 1950s.
Madoc’s agent confirmed the Little Britain performer had died at the age of 79 in a statement shared with the PA News Agency on Saturday.
Phil Belfield of talent agency Belfield & Ward said the star of stage and screen died while in hospital on Friday (December 9) following a fall she had earlier in the week.
The statement said: ‘A real legend of the British entertainment scene [Madoc] was one of a kind and a unique talent loved by many. She is gone far too soon. Our hearts are broken.’
Paying his respect, former GBBO presenter Lucas, who worked with Madoc on his show Little Britain, said in a statement with David Walliams: ‘We are both shocked and saddened to hear about the passing of Ruth Madoc.
‘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 as Dafydd’s mum.
‘She was brilliant in the show and an absolute delight to work with. We send over love and condolences to her family.’
Meanwhile, Robinson, 76, remembered his ‘lovely friends’, adding: ‘So sad to hear my lovely friend Ruth Madoc has passed.
Madoc was a legend of the stage and screen (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock)
‘She was not only funny and highly intelligent, she was smart, kindly, a loyal trade unionist, and wore her heart on the left. She’ll be much missed.’
Welsh singer Aled Jones, 51, paid tribute to the lovely ‘Madoc’, writing on Twitter: ‘So very sad to hear of the passing of dear Ruth Madoc – a lovely person I was lucky to know. Love to her family x RIP.’
Broadcaster Gyles Brandreth has remembered ‘wonderfully gifted actress’ Ruth Madoc said: ‘This is such sad news. Ruth was a very lovely person – and a wonderfully gifted actress.
Madoc soaredd to fame on the beloved sitcom Hi-De-Hi! (Picture: Shutterstock)
‘I was lucky enough to get to know her through my best friend from school, Simon Cadell.
‘In Hi-De-Hi they were irresistible. RIP Ruth Madoc & thanks for the memories. Goodbye campers!’
Cadell played holiday camp boss Jeffrey Fairbrother, the object of affections for Madoc’s character Glady Pugh.
The full statement from Madoc’s agency read: ‘It is with much sadness that we have to announce the death of our dear and much-loved client Ruth Madoc.
Madoc died in hospital after suffering a fall (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock)
‘Ruth passed away on the afternoon of Friday December 9 while in hospital following surgery for a fall she had earlier in the week, which had led her to have to withdraw from panto in Torquay.
It continued: ‘From film work such as Fiddler On The Roof and Under Milk Wood with Richard Burton and her iconic TV performance as Gladys Pugh in Hi De Hi! and more recently in Little Britain and on stage with Calendar Girls (the play and the musical), plus recent acclaim in short films Skinny Fat and Cardiff, she was truly a national treasure and was looking forward to getting back on the road in 2023 with The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel.
‘A real legend of the British entertainment scene she was one of a kind and a unique talent loved by many. She is gone far too soon. Our hearts are broken.’
Madoc is survived by her two children (Picture: BAFTA/Shutterstock)
‘Thoughts are with her daughter Lowri, her son Rhys and all of her family.
Born in April 1943 and brought up in Llansamlet near Swansea, Madoc trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) before her break-out role playing Fruma Sarah in the film version of the musical Fiddler On The Roof in 1971.
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A decade later she appeared on our screens in fan-favourite sitcom Hi-de-Hi!, having had other roles including Mrs Dai Bread Two in 1972 comedy film Under Milk Wood.
She is survived by her two children.
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