Elizabeth Kelly, the actress best known for playing the sharp‑tongued Nellie Ellis on BBC soap EastEnders, has died at the age of 104. She passed away on December 25 and was one of television’s few centenarians.
Career and highlights
Born Elizabeth Trower in Newcastle‑upon‑Tyne in 1921, Kelly enjoyed a career that spanned some four decades. She landed her first major television role in 1971 at the age of 50, appearing as Edie Burgess in Coronation Street.
Kelly became a familiar face across British television, with credits that included Home and Away, Grange Hill, Emmerdale, Heartbeat and The Bill. She is best known for her long run in EastEnders: from 1993 to 2000 she appeared in 138 episodes as Nellie Ellis, the aunt of Pauline Fowler. Her film work included a role in 24 Hour Party People (2002) alongside Steve Coogan.
Kelly retired from acting in 2007, with her final credited role in the drama The Royal.
Personal life, death and funeral arrangements
Kelly was widowed and is survived by one daughter, one son and several grandchildren and great‑grandchildren. She spent much of her later life with family in North Yorkshire and had been living in care homes for a number of years.
Father Eddie Gubbins of St Peter’s Church in Scarborough, who visited Kelly in her care home, told The Sun that she had been “too frail” to attend services. He described her as “a very strong lady” with “a beautiful voice,” and said he believed she died of “old age,” adding: “She had a very peaceful death in the end. She was a beautiful lady and very gracious.” He last saw her days before her death.
A funeral service will be held at St Peter’s Church, Scarborough, on Tuesday, February 17, followed by a private burial.
Image Referance: https://www.thesun.co.uk/tv/38114465/eastenders-legend-elizabeth-kelly-dies/