https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/hi-de-hi-star-ruth-28701601

Hi-De-Hi! star Ruth Madoc's tragic last post before death as celeb pals lead tributes
Hi-De-Hi! legend Ruth Madoc shared her final post after had been forced to quit a pantomime role in Torquay, Devon due to an accident – days before she died in hospital


Hi-De-Hi! legend Ruth Madoc’s shared a tragic last post about her health just hours before she died in hospital.

Ruth's agent confirmed the Gladys Pugh star had died on Friday following a surgery – after suffering a fall earlier in the week.

Before her death, the star had been optimistic about her health as she told her 13,500 Instagram followers she would "soon be back to normal" after pulling out of a pantomime in Torquay, Devon.

Ruth was due to take part in the Aladdin pantomime at the Princess Theatre but had to step back from her role.

However, the actress urged her fans "not to worry" as she discussed her health in her tragic final Instagram post.

She posted an image of the statement from the Princess Theatre, which read: "Following an accident earlier this week, and after medical assessment, regretfully Ruth Madoc is no longer able to appear in this year's pantomime of Aladdin at the Princess Theatre in Torquay.

"Everyone at the theatre wishes Ruth a speedy recovery. Furhter announcements regarding casting will take place in due course."

She then added in the caption: "Hiya everyone please don’t worry ! I’m well and I’ll soon be back to normal, but unfortunately @princesstheatretorquay won’t get to have The Empress Gladys in the Panto this Christmas !!!

"I’m doing really well and will soon be back to normal," she ended the post with.

But, tragically, Ruth later died in hospital after undergoing surgery.

Her talent agent Phil Belfield of agency Belfield & Ward Ltd later announced her death in a statement, which read: "It is with much sadness that we have to announce the death of our dear and much loved client Ruth Madoc.

Ruth Madoc reassured fans after she was forced to pull out of the panto, in her tragic final post ( Image: Ruth Madoc/Instagram)
"Ruth passed away on the afternoon of Friday 9 December while in hospital following surgery for a fall she had earlier in the week, which had led her to have to withdraw from panto in Torquay."

He described her as a "legend of the British entertainment scene" and a "unique talent loved by many".

Ruth's sudden death has sent shock waves through the TV and acting world as tributes have poured in to her memory.


Singer Paul Potts wrote: "So sad. I’ve sat with her at many charity functions. Lovely person."

Late actor John Challis' wife Carol said: "Sad news indeed. John and I did a panto season with Ruth and we enjoyed her company very much. Rest easy."

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https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/breaking-comedian-ruth-madoc-rushed-2869863

Hi-de-Hi! star Ruth Madoc rushed to hospital after freak accident
Ruth Madoc, who first shot to fame in the 70s, has announced that she has regretfully been forced to cancel her upcoming comedy shows after a freak accident

BySusan KnoxShowbiz and TV Reporter
9 Dec 2022UPDATED13:29, 10 Dec 2022

Comedy legend Ruth Madoc has been rushed to hospital after an accident.

Taking to Instagram the much-loved star, 79, shared an update on her health.

The statement on her Instagram page read: "Following an accident earlier this week, and after medical assessment, regretfully Ruth Madoc is no longer able to appear in this year's pantomime of Aladdin at the Princess Theatre in Torquay.

"Everyone at the theatre wishes Ruth a speedy recovery. Further announcements regarding casting will take place in due course."

Alongside the statement, Ruth added: "Hiya everyone please don’t worry ! I’m well and I’ll soon be back to normal, but unfortunately @princesstheatretorquay won’t get to have The Empress Gladys in the Panto this Christmas."

Following her statement, fans rushed to send the comedian their well wishes.

"Oh noooo I'm so sorry to hear this. Hope you're doing okay and have a speedy recovery," one commented.

"Hope you have a fast recovery," another echoed.

"Get well soon and take care! Xx," another chimed in.

It comes three years after Ruth broke her femur in four places and her hip and spent two weeks in hospital

Speaking of the accident in 2019, Ruth said. “I was doing a warm up on stage and just tripped and I went down.

"To cut a long story short, I spent two weeks in hospital in Dublin and then another week at home. The medics are thrilled to bits and have given me their blessing to come back eight months later.”

She said at the time that people over the age of 70 really have to fight to get better and that she wanted to raise awareness of hard it is.

Ruth admitted: “I want people to understand that unfortunately you’ve got to go through pain barriers to get back on your feet again. You’ve got to have the tenacity to do what the medics tell you to do. It might be painful and you might not see a light at the end of the tunnel but do it!”

Ruth is best known for her role as Gladys Pugh in the 1980s BBC television comedy Hi-de-Hi!, for which she received a BAFTA TV award nomination for Best Light Entertainment Performance.

She later appeared as Daffyd Thomas's mother in the second series of Little Britain.

Ruth is also a regular on the pantomime scene having had a glittering career on stage with credits including Annie, Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella.