Benidorm favourite Elsie Kenny dies as co-star pays heartfelt tribute

Beindorm star Elsie Kenny, who starred as Noreen Maltby on the long-running ITV sitcom, has passed away at the age of 89, her co-star has announced this morning

10:21, 22 Apr 2026Updated 10:34, 22 Apr 2026

Benidorm star Elsie Kelly has died at the age of 89(Image: Liverpool Echo)

Beindorm star Elsie Kenny has died at the age of 89. The actress began her career in the 1970s with appearances in the now-defunct soap Crossroads but became most widely known for her role as Noreen Maltby in the hit ITV sitcom Benidorm.

Her co-star Chrissie Rock, who played hotel manager Janey Yorke on Benidorm, was the first to announce the news on Wednesday morning. She wrote on Instagram: “So sad to hear of the passing of Elsie Kelly this morning. We shared so many wonderful memories filming Benidorm, moments I’ll always treasure. She was an absolute joy to work with and brought so much warmth and laughter wherever she went.

“I was so touched that she came to see me on tour a couple of times recently at St Helens Theatre Royal – it meant a lot. Thinking of her family and all who loved her. She’ll be deeply missed.”

Elsie played the on-screen mother of Johnny Vegas on the sitcom(Image: Patrick Redmond +353872600976)

Viewers will remember Noreen as the long-suffering mother of quizzing enthusiast Geoff (Johnny Vegas), better known as The Oracle, and she initially appeared on the programme from its very first episode in 2007 right up until the fifth series.

After taking time out during 2014, she returned for series seven and remained with the programme until its cancellation four years later. The cast was made up of other famous faces from British television, including the likes of Steve Pemberton, Siobhan Finneran and Sheila Reid, who famously starred as Madge Bishop for several years.

Before joining Coronation Street as undertaker George Shuttleworth, actor Tony Maudsley was perhaps best known for his role as camp hairdresser Kenneth Du Beke on Benidorm. Other stars to enjoy short stints on the programme include Sheridan Smith, Nadia Sawalha and Denise Welch, whilst showbiz legends like Dame Joan Collins and Cilla Black also made guest appearances.

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