Actress Elsie Kelly, best known for her role as Noreen Maltby in the ITV comedy series Benidorm, has died at the age of 89. Her agent, Michelle Sykes, confirmed that Kelly passed away peacefully on 21 April 2026 after a short illness, surrounded by her family.
Benidorm creator Derren Litten led tributes, calling Kelly a “comedic genius”. He said: “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.” Co-star Crissy Rock added: “She was an absolute joy to work with and brought so much warmth and laughter wherever she went.”
Born in Liverpool in 1936, Kelly was 69 when she landed her breakout role in Benidorm, playing Johnny Vegas’s on-screen mother. Though originally meant to die in the first episode, the chemistry between the two actors led to Noreen becoming a regular character. Kelly appeared in nine of the show’s ten seasons and even played Noreen’s twin sister Doreen in the final series.
Before Benidorm, Kelly began her career as a musical theatre director, leading the Birkenhead Operatic Society Trust from 1974 until 2019. She made her television debut in 1979 as cleaner Mrs Tardebrigge on the ITV soap Crossroads, a role she played until the show’s cancellation in 1988. She later returned to TV in 1995, appearing in adaptations of Enid Blyton’s books and children’s programmes such as The Ghost Hunter and Harry and the Wrinklies.
In addition to Benidorm, Kelly appeared in the anthology series Inside No 9, playing Claire Skinner’s on-screen mother in the 2015 episode “Nana’s Party”. Her legacy as a beloved comic actress will be remembered by fans and colleagues alike.
