Johnny Vegas has led tributes to Elsie Kelly, best known for playing dysfunctional matriarch Noreen Maltby in ITV sitcom Benidorm, following her death aged 89.
The actress died ‘surrounded by her family’ on Tuesday, her agent confirmed, following a five-decade career in show-business.
She spent more than a decade playing Noreen in the sitcom, the adoptive mother of Vegas’ pub quiz champ Geoff Maltby, who holidayed with her in the Spanish resort while telling fellow tourists she was his PA.
Her turn as the clueless but the well-meaning mother to both adopted son Geoff and alcoholic daughter Pauline quickly made her a favourite among fans, and she appeared throughout Benidorm’s run until it ended in 2018.
The beloved TV star, from Liverpool, was also known as gossipy cleaner Eileen Tardebigge in soap opera Crossroads, the breakthrough role that she played until the show was cancelled in 1988.
Her son Chris confirmed the news of her passing in a post on social media.
‘So sad to report that my lovely Mum, Elsie, Mrs Hall, Mrs Tardebigge, Noreen as you may know her has passed away after a short illness, peacefully surrounded by family,’ he wrote this morning.
Tributes have also been shared from a host of the actress’ Benidorm co-stars and a musical theatre company she oversaw for almost 50 years.
Leading the tributes, Johnny Vegas said: ‘A more generous, talented, funny, kind and hard grafting soul, and as an actor, you could ever hope to meet.’
Elsie Kelly, who has died at the age of 89, as Noreen Maltby with co-star Johnny Vegas as her adopted son Geoff in ITV drama Benidorm
Vegas would later present his on-screen mother with a lifetime achievement gong at Liverpool’s Culture and Creativity Awards
The cast of Benidorm in 2009 including Elsie, fourth from right. She played the role for 10 years
‘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,’ he said.
‘I had many young actors over the years saying to me “I worked with your mum”. 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.
‘Bless you my other Mum, and thank you for the endless joy you brought into so many of our lives xxxx.’
After appearing on Crossroads, Elsie appeared in an episode of Bread before a role in the film Intimate Relations.
She then appeared in episodes of The Famous Five and The Ghost Hunter and had a starring role in kids’ TV show Harry and the Wrinklies.
Small roles in Skins, The Peter Serafinowicz Show and Coronation Street followed before she landed her best-known role – or rather, roles, playing her own twin sister Doreen in a dual role in the final series.
She would also land a role in the anthology series Inside No. 9 after its co-creator, Steve Pemberton, remembered her from his time on Benidorm as Mick Garvey.
The critically acclaimed episode, called Nana’s Party, also reunited her with Siobhan Finneran, who played Janice Garvey on the ITV show.
Derren Litten, who created Benidorm, called her ‘one of the most beloved cast members’ in a tribute shared on X.
‘So sad to pass on the news of the passing of Elsie Kelly aka Noreen in Benidorm,’ he wrote.
‘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.’
He signed off with one of her memorably ditzy lines: ‘We don’t pay for our drinks – this holiday is inconclusive.’
Elsie Kelly (centre) with the cast of a stage production of Oliver – the first she oversaw as boss of Birkenhead Operatic Society Trust – in 1974
Elsie Kelly with on-screen son Johnny Vegas, who played Geoff. Her clueless but well-meaning character became a fan favourite
Elsie appeared in the show for a decade, and was hailed by its creator as ‘one of the most beloved cast members’
She would later play a role opposite herself in Benidorm – appearing as Noreen’s twin sister Doreen in the final series
Elsie pictured with Crissy Rock, who played Janey York in Benidorm. Crissy hailed her co-star as ‘an absolute joy to work with’ today
John Challis pictured with Elsie Kelly as they filmed Benidorm. Only Fools star John’s widow Carol called her the ‘dearest and kindest lady’ in a tribute
Crissy Rock, who appeared as Janey York in Benidorm, shared an image of her with Elsie on Instagram as she hailed the actress as ‘an absolute joy to work with’.
‘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 said.
‘She was an absolute joy to work with and brought so much warmth and laughter wherever she went.
‘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.’
The wife of Only Fools and Horses star John Challis, who appeared as Monty Staines in the final four series of Benidorm, called her the ‘dearest and kindest lady’.
Carol Shallis wrote on X: ‘Elsie has exited stage right. She was much loved by everyone and I shall miss our catch up calls. God bless you, Elsie.’
Outside of acting, Elsie became the director of the Birkenhead Operatic Society Trust in Merseyside in 1973, a role she held until she retired in 2019.
It earned her a lifetime achievement award at Liverpool’s Culture & Creativity Awards in 2024 – presented to her by on-screen son, Johnny Vegas.
Speaking to the Liverpool Echo in 2019, she said macular degeneration in her eyes had played a part in her decision to step back.
Of her decision to move into production management, she said: ‘I was always having children marching about in the back garden. My mum said, ‘nobody will like you if you’re bossy’.
‘I’d say, ‘I’m not bossy, I’m just telling them what to do!”
She added of her time as Noreen: ‘People do still come up to me an awful lot. I’m constantly amazed as it’s been off-screen for so long.
‘Benidorm was a lovely experience and I enjoyed it immensely. We spent 10 years doing it and it was like working with a huge family.’
Elsie would later appear in an episode of the BBC’s anthology series Inside No. 9 after the show’s co-creator Steve Pemberton (second from left) met her on Benidorm. It also reunited her with Siobhan Finneran, who played Janice Garvey (second from right) on the ITV show
In a statement, BOST said: ‘We are all extremely saddened by Elsie’s passing and she will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
‘We are honoured to have had Elsie as our society’s Director for over 46 years, and will be forever grateful for her outstanding leadership, inspirational mentoring and long standing friendship.
‘Elsie was also an incredibly talented actress in her own right, and her memory will live on as a great shining star of stage and screen. Our thoughts are with her family at this difficult time.’
Elsie’s agent Michelle Sykes confirmed the actress had died following a short illness.
‘She passed away peacefully, after a short illness, surrounded by her loving family on 21st April 2026 at the age of 89,’ Ms Sykes said.
‘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.
‘Beyond this iconic role, she appeared in numerous British television programmes, including Inside No. 9, Harry & the Wrinklies, The Famous Five and Crossroads.’
ITV said in a tribute: ‘In Noreen Maltby, Elsie Kelly created one of British comedy’s best loved characters, quickly becoming a Benidorm audience favourite with an always underplayed wit and spark in her eye.
‘She will be greatly missed and our thoughts are with her family and friends.’
