Open All Hours star Lynda Baron dies aged 82

·3 min read
English actress and singer Lynda Baron, UK, 2nd September 1974. She is starring in the play 'The Bedwinner' by Tony Lesser at the Royalty Theatre in London. (Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Lynda Baron, in 1974 (Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

Open All Hours star Lynda Baron has died aged 82.

Best known for playing the role of Gladys Emmanuel in the popular sitcom alongside David Jason and Ronnie Barker, the actor's death was confirmed by her representatives.

Her agent said in a statement: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved client Lynda Baron. She was a wonderful actress and a great friend."

The statement continued: “Her iconic roles of Nurse Gladys in Open All Hours and Aunt Mabel in Come Outside were loved by all generations.

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"Renowned for her leading roles in West End musicals and dramatic productions alike, we have lost a leading light of our world. We extend our deepest condolences to her daughter Sarah, her son Morgan and all her family.”

Today With Des And Mel' Tv Programme, Britain - 26 Jan 2004, Lynda Baron (Photo by Brian Rasic/Getty Images)
Today With Des And Mel' Tv Programme, Britain - 26 Jan 2004, Lynda Baron (Photo by Brian Rasic/Getty Images)

While best known for her her role in Open All Hours, she was recognisable to younger views through her appearances in acclaimed children's show, Come Outside.

She later reprised her role as Nurse Gladys for Still Open All Hours, the BBC's sequel to Open All Hours in 2013.

Television's favourite tight-fisted shopkeeper, A E Arkwright, who is Ronnie Barker, with co-stars Lynda Baron (Nurse Gladys) and David Jason (Arkwright's nephew/assisstant Granville) outside the shop during a break in filming Open All Hours in Doncaster. (Photo by PA Images via Getty Images)
Ronnie Barker, with co-stars Lynda Baron (Nurse Gladys) and David Jason during a break in filming Open All Hours (PA Images via Getty Images)

Baron also had a recurring role in EastEnders as Linda Clarke between 2006 and 2008 before a final appearance in 2016.

Baron, who was born in Lancashire, also appeared in several acclaimed films such as Yentl alongside Barbra Streisand and Woody Allen's Scoop.

Some of her other film roles include Carry On Columbus, Color Me Kubrick and Dream Horse alongside Damian Lewis and Toni Collette.

11th July 1965: British actress Lynda Baron, who went on to star in such classic TV series as 'Coronation Street', 'Open All Hours' and 'Last of the Summer Wine'. (Photo by Harry Dempster/Express/Getty Images)
Lynda Baron, who went on to star in such classic TV series as 'Coronation Street', 'Open All Hours' and 'Last of the Summer Wine'. (Harry Dempster/Express/Getty Images)

Prolific in TV, Baron appeared in episodes of Rome, Doctor Who and Citizen Khan. She was also a regular in shows such as Fat Friends, Chasing Shadows and The Upper Hand.

Baron was also nominate for a Bafta in 2011 for her performance in The Road to Coronation Street, a BBC Four drama about the early days of ITV's popular soap.

Lynda Baron (Lilly Bless Her), Bill Owen (Compo) and Kathy Staff (Nora Batty) on the set of 'Last of the Summer Wine'. 27th May 1983. (Photo by Staff/Mirrorpix/Getty Images)
Lynda Baron (Lilly Bless Her), Bill Owen (Compo) and Kathy Staff (Nora Batty) on the set of 'Last of the Summer Wine'. 27th May 1983. (Photo by Staff/Mirrorpix/Getty Images)

Born in Urmston, Lancashire in 1939, Baron originally trained as a dancer at the Royal Academy of Dance and began her career in the theatre before moving on to TV and film.

She married her husband John in 1966 and they went on to have two children – Sarah and Morgan. No cause of death was announced.

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