Hi-de-Hi! actress Ruth Madoc has died at the age of 79.
The sad news comes a day after the star assured fans she was 'well' and hoping to be 'back to normal soon' after being rushed to hospital for surgery following an accident.
A statement posted to Ruth's Instagram page on Friday read: "Following an accident earlier this week, and after medical assessment, regretfully Ruth Madoc is no longer able to appear in this year's pantomime of Aladdin at the Princess Theatre in Torquay.
"Everyone at the theatre wishes Ruth a speedy recovery."
Alongside the post, Ruth added: "Hiya everyone please don’t worry ! I’m well and I’ll soon be back to normal, but unfortunately @princesstheatretorquay won’t get to have The Empress Gladys in the Panto this Christmas."
Today, Ruth's agent confirmed that the much-loved star had died in hospital on Friday after undergoing surgery following her fall.
The statement read: "Ruth passed away on the afternoon of Friday December 9 while in hospital following surgery for a fall she had earlier in the week, which had led her to have to withdraw from panto in Torquay."
Ruth was described as a 'national treasure' and a 'real legend of the British entertainment scene" in the tribute from her long-term agent Phil Belfield.
"She was one of a kind and a unique talent loved by many. She is gone far too soon. Our hearts are broken!
“Thoughts are with her daughter Lowri, her son Rhys and all of her family."
Norwich born Ruth was best known for playing Chief Yellowcoat Gladys Pugh in the hit BBC comedy Hi de Hi! between 1980 to 1988.
The series was centred on a fictional holiday camp set between 1959 and 1960, where Ruth's character Gladys was on a relentless pursuit of Jeffrey Fairbrother, played by Simon Cadell.
After the series wrapped, Ruth went on to appear in a number of popular shows including Doctors, Benidorm, Casualty and in Little Britain as Daffyd Thomas' mother.
In 2018, Ruth overcame her fears to reveal her breasts to a live audience in the ladies’ version of The Real Full Monty alongside stars including Coleen Nolan, Victoria Derbyshire and Michelle Heaton.
Three years ago, Ruth spent three weeks in hospital after breaking her hip and femur in four places.
She told the Belfast Telegraph in 2019: "I was doing a warm up on stage and just tripped and I went down.
"To cut a long story short, I spent two weeks in hospital in Dublin and then another week at home.
"The medics are thrilled to bits and have given me their blessing to come back eight months later."
The actress, who enjoyed a five decade career in the entertainment industry, said at the time it was harder to heal over the 70-year mark.
She told the Mirror: “I want people to understand that unfortunately you’ve got to go through pain barriers to get back on your feet again.
"You’ve got to have the tenacity to do what the medics tell you to do.
“It might be painful and you might not see a light at the end of the tunnel but do it!"
Before finding fame in TV comedy series, Ruth trained at RADA in London where she honed her acting skills.
Her first role came as Fruma Sarah in the film version of musical Fiddler on the Roof in 1971.
Her breakout role was playing Gladys Pugh in the hugely popular Croft and Perry sitcom Hi-de-Hi!, for which received a BAFTA TV Award nomination.
Ruth later returned to comedy with her appearance in Big Top on BBC One, alongside Amanda Holden and John Thompson in 2010.
Following the sad news of Ruth's passing, many stars have taken to social media to pay tribute.
Blackadder's Tony Robinson tweeted: "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."
Tommy Cannon also posted: "So sad to hear of Ruth Madoc’s passing, what a wonderful lady. Will be very much missed by a lot of people, Rest Easy."
This Morning's Gyles Brandreth paid homage to Ruth's famous catchphrase as he remembered the star.
"This is such sad news. Ruth was a very lovely person - and a wonderfully gifted actress. I was lucky enough to get to know her through my best friend from school, Simon Cadell. In Hi-De-Hi they were irresistible. RIP Ruth Madoc & thanks for the memories. Goodbye campers!"
Carol Challis, the widow of Only Fools and Horses star John Challis, penned: "Sad news indeed.John and I did a panto season with Ruth and we enjoyed her company very much. Rest easy ‘cariad Bach’."
TV station UK Gold, which continues to air reruns of Ruth's sitcom, said the actress was 'adored by viewers.
"We are all deeply saddened at Gold to learn that the wonderful Ruth Madoc has passed away at 79. Audiences adored her as Gladys Pugh in Hi-De-Hi! Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this difficult and sad time," said a spokesperson.
