EastEnders actress Elizabeth Kelly dies aged 104: Soap star passes away peacefully following a 40-year television career
- Do you have a story? Email tips@dailymail.co.uk
EastEnders actress Elizabeth Kelly has died aged 104 after a 40-year television career.
The soap star was best known for playing Pauline Fowler’s busybody relative Nellie Ellis in EastEnders from 1993 to 2000.
Elizabeth passed away on Christmas Day, aged 104, making her a centenarian, and her funeral will take place at St Peter’s Church, Scarborough, on 17 February.
He is survived by his daughter and son, as well as his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Following her final role in The Royal, Elizabeth retired from acting in 2007 and reportedly spent her final years with her family in North Yorkshire before moving into various care homes.
Father Eddie Gubbins, priest at St. Peter’s Church, said: Sun About Elizabeth: ‘She was a very strong woman and had a beautiful voice.’
EastEnders actress Elizabeth Kelly (middle pictured in 1960) dies aged 104 after 40-year television career
Elizabeth passed away on Christmas Day, aged 104, making her a centenarian, and her funeral will take place at St Peter’s Church, Scarborough, on February 17 (seen in Emmerdale in 2002)
He added: ‘In the end he had a very peaceful death. She was a very beautiful woman and very elegant.’
Father Gubbins said Elizabeth was ‘too weak’ to come to church towards the end and he visited her at her care home in early December.
Elizabeth played Nellie in EastEnders for 138 episodes and was often seen arguing with Pauline’s husband Arthur Fowler or carrying his belongings into their home.
But Elizabeth’s career actually began in 1971, at the age of 50, when she landed her first major TV role as Edie Burgess in an episode of Coronation Street.
Born Elizabeth Trower in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1921, Kelly quickly became a familiar face in the world of British soaps, appearing in episodes of Heartbeat, Grange Hill, Home and Away, Emmerdale and The Bill.
He also starred in a cult indie film called 24 Hour Party People with Steve Coogan.
Following the news of his death, commemorative messages poured in on social media.
People wrote: ‘What a career, RIP’; ‘RIP Elizabeth Kelly. Best known for her role as Nellie Ellis in 1990’s Eastenders 104. What a wonderful age,’;
‘RIP Aunt Nellie’; “So sad.”
Following her final role in The Royal, Elizabeth retired from acting in 2007 and reportedly spent her final years in North Yorkshire with her family.
