British actress and singer Ruth Madoc has passed away at the age of 79 after performing on stage and screen for over six decades.

With 34 acting credits to her name, Ruth was best known for her role as Gladys Pugh in the BBC TV comedy Hi-de-Hi! in which she appeared for 58 episodes from the year 1980 to 1988.

The actress, who was nominated for a BAFTA TV award for the aforementioned role, was also cast in several other popular TV series including Mist: Sheepdog Tales, Big Top, Little Britain, and more. She was also no stranger to theaters and went on to perform in musicals like Gypsy and Fiddler On The Roof.

Following her six-decade career on screen and stage, Madoc passed away at the age of 79.

According to her agent, the actress died on Friday shortly after undergoing surgery.

Paying a tribute to the hardworking performer were her Hi-de-Hi! co-stars as well as other entertainment figures and her fans.

Leading the tributes was Jeffrey Holland who played Spike Dixon in the beloved BBC series. He said:

“We were together for a long time, not just in Hi-de-Hi! the TV series but we did the stage show, the summer seasons with it and I did several pantomimes with Ruth as well over the years back in the 1980s so we’ve got a lot of happy memories to draw on and she was a wonderful performer and she’ll be greatly missed.”

The 82-year-old continued:

“She was a very talented musical performer with a wonderful singing voice, she has a history that goes back a long way. It was a joy to work with someone like that, we had such laughs.

“I was very lucky to work with that comedy crew, we never stopped laughing from morning until night. I will have those memories of Ruth forever, she left us a wonderful legacy with Gladys Pugh. I was very lucky to do a job like that. We had such a laugh together, it really was such fun.”

Paying a tribute to Madoc, who just moments before her passing told her fans not to worry about her recovery because she was determined to get back to normal as soon as possible, was also Phil Belfield of Belfield & Ward Ltd.

“It is with much sadness that we have to announce the death of our dear and much loved client Ruth Madoc,” the talent agency worker said.

“Ruth 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 her to have to withdraw from panto in Torquay.”

Belfield went on to recall Madoc’s successful career before sending condolences to her family and branding the late star as a legend.

“She was truly a national treasure and was looking forward to getting back on the road in 2023 with The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel,” the statement read.

“A real legend of the British entertainment scene, she was one of a kind and a unique talent loved by many.”

Our thoughts are with Ruth’s family and friends.