Benidorm star Elsie Kelly dies aged 89 as distraught co-stars pay tribute

Benidorm legend Elsie Kelly has died aged 89 after a “short illness”.

Kelly, who played fan-favourite Noreen Maltby on the ITV comedy series for more than a decade, passed away “surrounded by her family” on Tuesday.

The Liverpool-born star was also known for various TV roles, including as cleaner Mrs Tardebigge in Crossroads.

“She passed away peacefully, after a short illness, surrounded by her loving family on 21st April 2026 at the age of 89,” her agent said in a statement.

“With a career spanning decades across television, theatre, and film, she most recently became a household name through her work on Benidorm .”
It went on: “Her unmistakable charm, sharp timing and gentle humour made her a fan favourite.

“Beyond this iconic role, she appeared in numerous British television programmes, including Inside No.

9, Harry & the Wrinklies, The Famous Five and Crossroads.”
Kelly played Noreen in Benidorm , the long-suffering mother of Johnny Vegas’s character Geof f, otherwise known as The Oracle.

She initially appeared in the sitcom from the very first episode in 2007 until the fifth series.

Kelly returned in series seven and even played Noreen’s identical twin sister Doreen in series 10.

She remained with the programme until its cancellation four years later.

Crissy Rock, who played hotel manager Janey Yorke on Benidorm until she was replaced by Sherrie Hewson , called Kelly an “absolute joy” in an emotional tribute on Instagram.

She wrote: “So sad to hear of the passing of Elsie Kelly this morning.

“I was so touched that she came to see me on tour a couple of times recently at St Helens Theatre Royal – it meant a lot.

“Thinking of her family and all who loved her.

She’ll be deeply missed.”
Benidorm creator and writer Derren Litten described Elsie as a “comedic genius”.

He wrote: “So sad to pass on the news of the passing of Elsie Kelly aka Noreen in Benidorm.

One of the best loved characters in the show and certainly one of the most beloved cast members.

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

“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.”
Kelly first became a familiar face on TV in the original Crossroads series in the 1970s and 1980s.

She appeared in the sitcom Bread in the late 1980s, and portrayed Enid in the 1996 comedy film, Intimate Relations, opposite Julie Walters, Les Dennis and Amanda Holden.

The actor then appeared in the TV series, The Famous Five, from 1995 until 1997, playing Joan the cook in the adaptations of Enid Blyton's beloved book series .

Out of the spotlight, Kelly was the former Head of Theatre Studies at Elliott Clarke College in Liverpool.

In 1973, she became the permanent director of Birkenhead Operatic Society, overseeing more than 80 musicals.

Kelly previously revealed she was only meant to appear in the first episode of Benidorm - but was given more scenes after producers noticed her rapport with her onscreen son Vegas.

“I was supposed to die while I was lying on a lilo and nobody would notice,” she told The Liverpool Echo in 2014.

“That was the idea, initially, and it was very funny.

I thought, oh well, a few weeks in Spain will be great fun.

“The writer who had the original idea said ‘No, I’m going to have to change it’ because he felt there was a real relationship starting between [her and Vegas], so I got a reprieve.”
She added: “Johnny is a very, very talented, charming man, and very caring.

He’s just a really nice person, and lovely to act with.

I couldn’t have picked anyone who was more kind and, of course, the fact that we’re both Northerers was handy for matching our accents together.”