Hi-de-Hi! comedian Ruth Madoc passes away at age 79.

 The role of chief yellowcoat Gladys Pugh in the wildly popular TV series on BBC One about a summer camp in the late 1950s made the actress a household figure.

Her acting career has included a variety of theatre and musical roles, from Gypsy to Fiddler on the Roof.

Belfield & Ward talent agent Phil Belfield issued the following statement to the PA news agency: "It is with great regret that we must announce the passing of our dear and much-loved client Ruth Madoc.

"Ruth died in the afternoon of Friday, December 9, while recovering from surgery for a fall she suffered earlier in the week that forced her to cancel her appearance in the Torquay panto.

"She was truly a national treasure and was looking forward to going back on the road in 2023 with The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, thanks to her work in films like Fiddler On The Roof and Under Milk Wood with Richard Burton, as well as her iconic TV performance as Gladys Pugh in Hi De Hi!, Little Britain, and Calendar Girls (the play and the musical).

She was a true legend of the British entertainment industry, a rare talent adored by many. She left way too soon. Our hearts are shattered.

Her son Rhys, daughter Lowri, and entire family are in our thoughts.

The 76-year-old actor and author Sir Tony Robinson tweeted: "So sad to hear the passing of my wonderful friend Ruth Madoc.

She wasn't just humorous and smart; she was also kind, a devoted trade unionist, and she had her heart on the left. She will be sorely missed.

While this was going on, presenter Gyles Brandreth recalled Madoc as a "wonderfully gifted actor."

This is very sad news, the former MP who is now a journalist and reporter for BBC's The One Show wrote on Twitter. Ruth was an extremely sweet individual.

"I had the good fortune to meet her through Simon Cadell, my close buddy from school. They were impossible to resist in Hi-De-Hi. Ruth Madoc, rest in peace. Thanks for the memories. Hello campers!

Glady Pugh, a character played by Madoc, had feelings for Cadell's character Jeffrey Fairbrother, who was the director of the summer camp.

Les Dennis, a former Family Fortunes host, and Joe McGann, an actor, also paid the actress tribute on Twitter.

Dennis expressed his sadness at learning of Ruth Madoc's passing. She was a gorgeous and talented woman. Considering her family.

"Such terrible news about the lovely Ruth Madoc," McGann continued. I had the good fortune to collaborate with her more than once, and I adored the brilliant, knowledgeable, humorous, brave, generous, and positive ball of light that she was at all times.

"Just got the extremely awful news. RIP to the wonderful Ruth Madoc," tweeted comedian Paul Chuckle. She and I have collaborated on multiple occasions, including an episode of @BBCDoctors. Her absence will be felt deeply.

Her fall and subsequent withdrawal from the pantomime Aladdin at the Princess Theatre in Torquay caused her to pass away.

The theatre group released the following statement on Twitter on Thursday: "Unfortunately, Ruth Madoc is no longer able to appear in this year's pantomime of Aladdin at the Princess Theatre in Torquay due to an accident earlier this week, following medical examination.

In the female version of The Real Full Monty in 2018, Madoc overcame her apprehensions to show her breasts to a live audience among celebrities like Coleen Nolan, Victoria Derbyshire, and Michelle Heaton.

To spread awareness about breast cancer, they danced to This Is Me from The Greatest Showman.

She fell and shattered her hip a year later while practising for her part in Calendar Girls, but surprised medical professionals with how quickly she recovered.

Madoc, who was born in April 1943 and was raised in the Llansamlet neighbourhood close to Swansea, received her training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) before landing the role of Fruma Sarah in the musical Fiddler on the Roof, which was released in 1971.

She made her television debut ten years later in the beloved sitcom Hi-de-Hi! She had previously played Mrs. Dai Bread Two in the comedy Under Milk Wood from 1972 and Daffyd Thomas' mother in Little Britain.

Her two kids are the only ones who remain.