Elsie Kelly, Benidorm Star, Has Died Aged 89

Former Benidorm star Elsie Kelly has died at the age of 89.

Elsie was best known for her performance as Noreen, the on-screen mum of Johnny Vegas’ character, in the Bafta-nominated sitcom.

On Wednesday morning, the ITV sitcom’s creator Derren Litten announced the news of Elsie’s death on X, before sharing his own tribute.

“So sad to pass on the news of the passing of Elsie Kelly,” he wrote, remembering Noreen as “one of the best loved characters in the show” and Elsie as “certainly one of the most beloved cast members”.

He recalled: “Elsie’s acting abilities and comic genius were so natural they were almost taken for granted.

“For someone who initially auditioned for the role of Madge (and gave an excellent reading of the part), her personality and natural warmth encouraged me to build up the part of Noreen from one or two lines in the first two episodes (initially intending to lose the character by the end of the first series) to many episodes and many series, culminating in her playing Noreen’s own twin, Doreen in series 10.

“Thanks for your talent but most of all your friendship Elsie, I am very sad today but also happy to think of such a wonderful life well lived.”

In addition to her work on Benidorm, Elsie played a recurring character in the soap Crossroads, appearing in the likes of The Famous Five, Intimate Relations, The Ghost Hunter and Harry And The Wrinklies in the 1990s and 2000s.

After being cast in the award-winning comedy, she went on to make a brief appearance in Skins, and also had a short stint in Coronation Street in 2011.

She has also appeared in the anthology series Inside No. 9 on two occasions, most recently in 2024, in what would become her final on-screen role.