Tribute to 'comic genius' Benidorm star who has died

Tributes are being paid to "one of the best-loved characters" in the ITV sitcom Benidorm, Elsie Kelly, who has died aged 89.

Kelly played Noreen Maltby for most of its run and also starred in Skins, Crossroads and early episodes of Coronation Street.

Actor and comedian, Johnny Vegas who played her on-screen son said Kelly had made going to work "more like playtime", adding: "Bless you my other mum and thank you for the endless joy you brought into so many of our lives."

The show's creator Derren Litten described her as a "comic genius".

Kelly, from Liverpool, appeared in 48 episodes as the "batty" Noreen Maltby who was noted for her malapropisms.

More recently she appeared as a party guest in two episodes of the BBC's Inside Number 9.

Vegas, who played the star's son Geoff, said on Facebook: "Elsie was a mother figure to me, on and off screen, and guided me through many highs and lows whilst overseas together.

"When I say Elsie was loved by all, it is a wonderful fact, not merely an apt comment to make during such sad times."

'Poolside giggles'

Vegas added: "Elsie touched and guided so many careers and crammed more into her 89 years than anyone else I've known in this profession.

"When not giggling poolside, she was in her hotel room, putting together her next musical line-up for many a Liverpool theatrical production.

"Elsie made going into work a true joy, in fact, it was more like playtime, and our time together, something to truly treasure."

Litten posted on X that Kelly's "acting abilities and comic genius were taken for granted", adding she was one of the show's "best-loved characters" and "certainly one of the most beloved cast members".

'Amazing personality'

He revealed she originally auditioned for another part but her "personality and natural warmth" encouraged him to build up Noreen from a few lines in the early episodes to "many episodes and series culminating in her playing Noreen's own twin Doreen".

First aired in 2007, the show told of a group of British holidaymakers at the fictional Solana Hotel in the Spanish resort.

Laura Stevenson, vice-chair of the Birkenhead Operatic Society where Elsie was the former director, told BBC Radio Merseyside: "I've known Elsie for my entire life and she was just absolutely fantastic and you know when she'd speak to us in rehearsals you could hear a pin drop, everyone would always hang on her every word.

"She had hilarious stories about her career, her life, and obviously people got to see some of that amazing personality on Benidorm."

Stevenson added: I remember once we went to see a show at the Liverpool Empire and we were walking back through town to get the train home and some young girl sort of ran over and said, 'oh my goodness, it's Noreen, it's Noreen'."

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