Carol Lee Scott, the actress who played the beloved children's television witch Grotbags, has died at the age of 74 after a battle with cancer. She passed away on 4 July 2017, her niece Gina Mear confirmed on Twitter.
Born in Somerset in 1942, Scott moved to London to pursue a career in entertainment. She began singing in pubs while working at a music shop, then spent 19 years performing at Pontins holiday camps. It was during a summer engagement in Cleethorpes that she met Rod Hull, leading to her iconic role.
Scott first appeared on screen in 1982 as Grotbags on ITV's Emu's World, a show featuring the green witch living in Gloomy Fortress and wielding a parasol-shaped wand called a bazazzer. The character became famous for the catchphrase 'There's somebody at the door!' She later voiced the animated spin-off Rod 'n' Emu in 1991 and starred in her own TV programme.
Tributes poured in from fans and celebrities alike. Comedian Rufus Hound said: 'An icon for folk of my generation. Thank you for her.' One fan described Scott as 'truly amazing as Grotbags, just the right amount of scary for young children.'
Hull, who was the puppeteer of the notorious Emu, died in 1999 at age 63 after falling from his roof. Scott remained a staple of the pantomime circuit until her death.
