Former Hollyoaks and Solely Fools And Horses star Diane Langton has died aged 77, sources confirmed on Wednesday.
The favored actress, whose profession in TV and movie spanned greater than six many years, handed away shortly after returning to Hollyoaks for a 3rd time. A reason for is but to be confirmed.
Issuing a press release on Wednesday afternoon, her agent mentioned:’ I’m unhappy to say that Diane Langton handed away this morning.
‘Diane had a wealthy and noteworthy profession showing on Stage, in Movies, and on tv, together with enjoying the long-lasting Nana McQueen in Hollyoaks from 2007 to the current day.
He added: ‘Diane educated on the Corona Academy and began her skilled profession as a dancer, touring with ballet corporations all through Europe, adopted by appearances on That Was the Week That Was and The London Palladium.’
Langton loved a prolific profession earlier than endearing herself to a youthful era of followers as Nana in Channel 4 teen cleaning soap Hollyoaks.
Former Hollyoaks and Solely Fools And Horses star Diane Langton has died aged 77, sources confirmed on Wednesday (pictured as Marlena ‘Nana’ McQueen in Hollyoaks)
Langton famously performed Derek ‘Del Boy’ Trotter’s love curiosity June Snell in two episodes of iconic BBC sitcom Solely Fools And Horses
The actress made her first look because the brash, pink-rinsed matriarch in 2007, having fun with a two 12 months spell on the present earlier than leaving in 2009.
She ultimately reprised her function in 2012, earlier than leaving for a second time in 2023, solely to return in 2024.
Langton famously performed Derek ‘Del Boy’ Trotter’s love curiosity June Snell in two episodes of iconic BBC sitcom Solely Fools And Horses in 1985 and ’86.
Born in Somerset, the actress started her profession as a dancer earlier than slicing her tooth as an actress on stage and display.
She gained her movie debut alongside British appearing greats Charles Hawtrey and Kenneth Williams in 1959 basic Carry On Trainer, with an uncredited function as a schoolgirl.
Extra outstanding roles would are available in British comedy Percy’s Progress, well-liked sitcom The Rag Commerce and sex-farce Confessions Of A Pop Performer as she established herself all through the Seventies.
Langton would additionally return to the Carry On franchise with roles in 1975 launch Carry On Laughing, and Carry On England – launched in 1976.
Different memorable TV appearances included six episodes of long-running ITV drama Heartbeat, wherein she performed Ruby Rowan, and EastEnders.
Langton starred in three Carry On Movies, together with 1976 launch Carry On England (pictured, far proper)
As she established herself all through the Seventies she additionally starred in TV sitcom The Rag Commerce (pictured)
In 1995 Langton took one other TV function, this time in long-running ITV drama Heartbeat (pictured)
The actress is pictured as Personal Alice Simple in ’70s comedy Carry On England
Actress Elaine Paige was amongst these paying tribute to Langton on X immediately, having beforehand labored together with her on the stage
The Solely Fools And Horses X web page penned their tribute, saying: ‘We’re very unhappy to be taught that actress Diane Langton, who performed June Snell in Solely Fools and Horses, has died’
Followers additionally penned sort messages with one saying: ‘Gutted to listen to of the passing of Diane Langton’
Followers of the BBC cleaning soap will bear in mind Langton as Bev Williams – Cindy Beale’s mom – between 1998 and ’99.
Actress Elaine Paige was amongst these paying tribute to Langton on X immediately, having beforehand labored together with her on the stage.
She wrote: ‘In whole shock at Diane Langton’s passing. Reminiscences of us in Hair flooding again. Her within the dressing room with a bottle of brown ale! We additionally recorded an LP [called] Sparrow.
‘She was a singular, gifted artist. A humorous, sort and particular buddy. My ideas with husband, Derek.’
The Solely Fools And Horses X web page penned their tribute, saying: ‘We’re very unhappy to be taught that actress Diane Langton, who performed June Snell in Solely Fools and Horses, has died. She was 77. Our ideas are together with her husband Derek and her household and buddies.’
Followers additionally penned sort messages with one saying: ‘Gutted to listen to of the passing of Diane Langton. Hollyoaks will not be fairly the identical with out absolutely the one off that’s Nana McQueen.’
One other wrote: ‘I can’t consider Diane Langton has died. Nana McQueen will perpetually be certainly one of my favorite characters. Thanks for years of sass and laughter! #Hollyoaks.’
A 3rd mentioned: ‘I’m absolutely heartbroken. Diane Langton you introduced me a lot pleasure, she made me smile so many instances through the years and she’s going to all the time stay a legend. That is actually devastating. RIP.’
Langton additionally loved a prolonged stage profession that included quite a few West Finish roles, amongst them Hair, Billy Elliot, A Refrain Line, Chicago, Jesus Christ Famous person and Mary Poppins.
Discussing her function in A Refrain Line with Broadway Buzz in 2011, she mentioned: ‘The unique Broadway firm got here and did six months, and I took over right away as Morales, singing Nothing and What I Did For Love.
‘On the time, they hadn’t forged Morales as a result of they could not discover somebody who might sing these numbers and dance, as properly, and I auditioned and auditioned.
‘They requested me to drop a few pounds, which I did -a lot! I needed to lose 4 stone (56 kilos). I did a 12 months in A Refrain Line after which I left to do a TV present and got here again to do the final six months.
‘They requested me to return and I mentioned, ‘Are you kidding?’ I would have taken their arm off to do it! I cherished the present so, a lot.’
Reflecting on her lifelong ardour for theatre, she added: ‘I am compulsed! I do know there is no such phrase, however that describes what I’m.
‘My son says to me, ‘Why do not you retire?’ and I say, ‘To what?’ I might go insane. After I do not work, I am a nightmare after two weeks.’
(L-R) Hollyoaks stars Jennifer Metcalfe, James Sutton, Jeremy Sheffield, Diane Langton, Keiron Richardson and Nikki Sanderson on the BAFTA Tv Awards in 2015
Langton with co-star Nick Berry on set of Heartbeat in 1997. The actress starred on the present throughout six episodes for 2 years
She additionally loved a prolonged stage profession that included quite a few West Finish roles, amongst them Hair, Billy Elliot, A Refrain Line, Chicago, Jesus Christ Famous person and Mary Poppins
