Gudrun Ure dead aged 98: Super Gran & Midsomer Murders actress dies as family & fans pay tribute to children’s TV star
TRIBUTES are pouring in for the star of a beloved 1980s children's show who has died aged 98.
Super Gran icon Gudrun Ure died at home in London, her loved ones confirmed.
The star gained a mass following as the granny who gained superpowers after being struck by a magic ray.
Gudrun's heartbroken niece today confirmed her passing.
Paying tribute to her "really kind" aunt, devastated Kate McNeill said: "She had a very memorable voice.
"I remember my husband was watching Casualty one night, and I went 'that's Gudrun' as soon as I heard the voice."
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Gudrun won over the nation's hearts in Super Gran, which ran from 1985 through to 1987.
In one episode she even starred alongside football legend George Best.
While she landed the role on the children's show at 59, she had a lengthy career on screen and stage either side of that.
She also appeared in TV shows Midsomer Murders, Where The Heart Is, and The Crow Road.
Devastated fans took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their heartbreak.
One wrote: “So sad to hear that actress Gudrun Ure has died today at the age of 98.
"Born in Milton in Campsie, she was a seasoned actress of stage and screen.
"She was much-loved as Super Gran, the main character of the 1980s TV show.”
Another said: “Sad news coming in that Supergran AKA Gudrun Ure has passed away at the grand old age of 98.”
One heartbroken fan added: “Ah no! Loved Supergran. Thanks for the memories Gudrun.”
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While another said: “Supergran was a great kids show and the theme song was an absolute banger. It is sad news RIP Gudrun Ure.”
One more added: “Ah no! I was just telling the kids about her last week. Sleep well Supergran.”
Super Gran was based on a series of books written by Forrest Wilson.
The show was about Granny Smith, who landed superpowers after accidentally being hit by a magic ray.
She then used her powers to protect the residents of Chiselton from a series of villains - most notably Scottish actor Iain Cuthbertson's scheming Scunner Campbell.
The show was hugely popular and sold to around 60 other countries across the globe.
- Midsomer Murders - In the third series in 2000, Gudrun appeared as Celia Armstrong, a resident at a nursing home who is killed off
- Casualty - Gudrun guest starred three times in the BBC drama her last appearance came in 2009 as Isabel
- The 10th Kingdom - this TV mini series aired in 2000, with Gudrun appearing as Mrs Murray Snr in three episodes
- Where The Heart Is - the actress appeared as Mildred Miller in the heartwarming drama, which starred Lesley Dunlop, Thomas Craig and Pam Ferris
- The Million Pound Note - this movie, released in 1954, also starred comic actress Joyce Grenfell and Hollywood star Gregory Peck. Starring under the name Ann Gudrun, the Scottish actress played Renie
- The Adventures Of Robin Hood - Gudrun played Mistress Rawlins in this TV series in 1956
- The Tragedy of Othello: The Moor of Venice - in 1951 Gudrun voiced Desdemona in this Orson Welles film. The role was played by French Canadian star Suzanne Cloutier
- No 73 - Gudrun made a guest appearance as Super Gran on this live ITV Saturday morning show in 1985
- Colonel March of Scotland Yard - in 1956 Gudrun starred as Nell alongside Boris Karloff in this TV series
- Super Gran - Gudrun's most famous role was the title character in this comedy TV series
In 1985 it won an International Emmy award in the Children and Young People category.
Born on March 12, 1926, Gudrun once played Desdemona to Orson Welles’ Othello.
She also had starring roles in the 1954 film Man With A Million and in TV shows Garry Halliday and Armchair Theatre.
The actress performed in a number of other films, TV and radio productions from the 1950s onwards, too.
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These included starring as Lady MacBeth in an Encyclopaedia Britannica series of educational films.
Gudrun was married to John Ramsay for more than 40 years until he died in 2008.