Benidorm star Elsie Kelly, who starred as Noreen Maltby on the long-running ITV sitcom, has passed away at the age of 89, her co-star has announced this morning
10:21, 22 Apr 2026Updated 11:16, 22 Apr 2026
Benidorm star Elsie Kelly has died at the age of 89(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Benidorm star Elsie Kelly has died at the age of 89. The actress began her career in the 1970s with appearances in the now-defunct soap Crossroads but became most widely known for her role as Noreen Maltby in the hit ITV sitcom Benidorm.
Her co-star Crissy Rock, who played hotel manager Janey Yorke on Benidorm in the years before she was replaced by Sherrie Hewson, was the first to announce the news on Wednesday morning.
She wrote on Instagram: “So sad to hear of the passing of Elsie Kelly this morning. We shared so many wonderful memories filming Benidorm, moments I’ll always treasure. She was an absolute joy to work with and brought so much warmth and laughter wherever she went.
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Elsie played the on-screen mother of Johnny Vegas on the sitcom(Image: Tiger Aspect / ITV)
“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.”
In a statement, Elsie’s agent, Michelle Sykes, also confirmed the news as he said: “She passed away peacefully, after a short illness, surrounded by her loving family on 21st April 2026 at the age of 89.
“With a career spanning decades across television, theatre, and film, she most recently became a household name through her work on Benidorm…
“Her unmistakable charm, sharp timing and gentle humour made her a fan favourite.” Viewers will remember Noreen as the long-suffering mother of quizzing enthusiast Geoff (Johnny Vegas), better known as The Oracle, and she initially appeared on the programme from its very first episode in 2007 right up until the fifth series.
After taking time out during 2014, she returned for series seven and remained with the programme until its cancellation four years later, even taking on the part of her character’s twin sister Doreen for an episode.
The cast was made up of other famous faces from British television, including the likes of Janine Duvitski, Steve Pemberton, Siobhan Finneran and Sheila Reid, who famously starred as Madge Bishop for several years.
Before joining Coronation Street as undertaker George Shuttleworth, actor Tony Maudsley was perhaps best known for his role as camp hairdresser Kenneth Du Beke on Benidorm. Other stars to enjoy short stints on the programme, which was created and written by Derren Litten, included Sheridan Smith, Nadia Sawalha and Denise Welch, whilst showbiz legends like Dame Joan Collins and Cilla Black also made guest appearances.
Cirssy shared this picture onto Instagram(Image: @crissyrock_/Instagram)
Elsie, pictured alongside Benidorm co-star Jake Canuso, starred on the programme for most of its run(Image: ITV)
Away from television, Elsie had started out directing theatre and in the early 1970s, she was at the helm of productions of musicals such as Annie, Oliver! and The Sound of Music for the Birkenhead Operatic Society Trust at Liverpool Empire.
As her on-screen career developed, she appeared in the sitcom Bread in the late 1980s, and took on the role of Enid in the film 1996 comedy Intimate Relations opposite Julie Walters, Les Dennis and Amanda Holden.
She then appeared in the TV series The Famous Five from 1995 until 1997, where she played Joan the cook in the adaptations of Enid Blyton’s classic book series. Elsie also filmed two episodes of Coronation Street in 2011, where she played Mrs Hargreaves, who died under a hairdryer at Audrey’s Salon, but, just months before her death, Elsie revealed that she had been in contact with Derren amid speculation of a Benidorm comeback.
Speaking in a video that surfaced on TikTok, she said: “Hello all you holidaymakers in Benidorm! I do hope you’re having a lovely time, I am sure you are!
“We’ve just had a nice lunch with Derren and it will mean a lot to both of us. Anyway, I hope to see you soon, in Benidorm, and as Noreen would say, ‘I do hope your holiday is inconclusive!’ Siobhan Finneran was amongst the first to pay tribute, as she wrote on X: “We are devastated to hear about the passing of the incredible Elsie Kelly, known to many as Noreen in #Benidorm. Her acting + comedy abilities were out of this world. May she Rest In Peace.”
Shortly afterwards, Derren Litten, who starred alongside Catherine Tate on her sketch show before creator Benidorm, 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. 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.”
Fans were quick to react to Crissy’s post, with one writing: “God rest her she only lived up the road from me and I’ve seen her a few times out and about over the years, she was a very funny character in Benidorm.”
Another said: “RIP Elsie thank you for the many many laughs and moments as Noreen in benidorm,” whilst a third wrote: “Awwww nooooooo absolutely devastated!”
A fourth said: “Wish I hadn’t popped on instagram now[heartbroken emoji] heartbroken at this news….she will forever live on in our Benidorm heartsrest easy lovely lady x”
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