Actress Ruth Madoc has died. She was 79.

She had been engaged to star in pantomime Aladdin at Torquay's Princess Theatre but had to pull out just two days ago after sustaining an injury during the final days of rehearsals.

That injury has now been revealed to have resulted from a fall, which required surgery. Madoc had posted on Instagram just on Thursday: "Hiya everyone please don't worry ! I'm well and I'll soon be back to normal, but unfortunately @princesstheatretorquay won't get to have The Empress Gladys in the Panto this Christmas !!! I'm doing really well and will soon be back to normal ! ❤️"

It has now been announced that she died in hospital yesterday afternoon.

Her agent said in a statement: "It is with much sadness that we have to announce the death of our dear and much loved client Ruth Madoc.

"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.

"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!

"Thoughts are with her daughter Lowri, her son Rhys and all of her family."

Madoc was born in Norwich on 16th April 1943 to Welsh parents, and raised substantially by her Welsh grandmother and English grandfather in Llansamlet, Swansea.

Training at London's prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, she worked prolifically across stage and screen but became a national television favourite when she took on one of the lead roles in David Croft and Jimmy Perry's 1950s-set holiday camp sitcom Hi-De-Hi!.

Appearing as Chief Yellowcoat and sports organiser Gladys Pugh, her character was known for an unrequited infatuation with camp manager Jeffrey Fairbrother, and her run of quirky announcements across the venue's PA system.

She appeared in all 58 episodes of the hit comedy, over eight series from 1980 to 1988.

Here is a classic clip from the sitcom of Pugh making an address to the campers:

BBC director of comedy Jon Petrie says: "We are saddened to hear the news about Ruth Madoc. She was a true star of stage and screen and her comedy performances were adored by the nation. Our thoughts are with her friends and family at this time."