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Tributes are being paid to Ruth Madoc, the veteran British actress best known for her role in the classic 1980s sitcom Hi-de-Hi!

Madoc's agent told the BBC that Madoc died Friday (December 9) following surgery for a fall she had suffered earlier in the week. She was 79 years old.

Madoc starred in all nine series of Hi-de-Hi!, a popular BBC sitcom set in a fictional holiday camp that ran from 1980 to 1988. Her character Gladys Pugh was a vivacious staff member who harbored romantic feelings for co-worker Jeffrey Fairbrother (Simon Cadell) that were sadly never reciprocated.

Paying tribute to Madoc in an Instagram post, Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies praised her "wonderful" performance as Gladys, for which she was nominated for a BAFTA TV award in 1985. He also described her as "funny, kind, salty, shrewd, and beautifully uncynical" as well as "one of those great old troupers who loved the business, loved the stories, loved acting and actors."

Meanwhile, Blackadder actor Sir Tony Robinson paid tribute in a tweet, writing: "So sad to hear my lovely friend Ruth Madoc has passed. She was not only funny and highly intelligent, she was smart, kindly, a loyal trade unionist, and wore her heart on the left. She’ll be much missed."

Madoc's more recent TV credits included Little Britain – where she played the mother of Matt Lucas's strident gay character, Daffyd – as well as Stella, Mount Pleasant, Benidorm, and Big Top. She also worked prolifically on stage and was rehearsing for a Christmas pantomime production in Torquay, southwest England before her fall forced her to pull out.

She is survived by her two children. Her husband of nearly 40 years, John Jackson, passed away in 2021.

Rest in peace, Ruth Madoc, and thank you for your contribution.