Tributes pour in for Corrie legend Jean Alexander as fans remember Hilda Ogden
The actress has been branded a legend after her death today
TRIBUTES poured in last night for much-loved Corrie legend Jean Alexander, who became a household name as gossip Hilda Ogden.
Jean died peacefully on Friday, three days after being taken to hospital on her 90th birthday.
Co-stars past and present spoke of how much they enjoyed working with Jean, who quit Weatherfield in 1987 after 23 years of playing curler-wearing cleaning lady Hilda.
Jean Alexander, who played Hilda Ogden, died peacefully three days after her 90th birthday
She went on to play Auntie Wainwright in Last Of The Summer Wine Michael Le Vell, 51, who plays mechanic Kevin Webster, hailed Hilda as “the most iconic soap character to walk the planet”.
He added: “Jean was such a warm, caring person and a joy to work with. She was also great fun — we’d watch snooker in the green room with her.
“She was an all-round lovely lady and such a talent. It was an honour and a privilege to work with her and her death is a huge loss to the industry.”
Piers Morgan branded her ‘one of the greatest soap stars in history’ writing: “RIP Jean Alexander, aka Hilda Ogden from Coronation Street. One of the greatest soap stars in British TV history.”
A fan described her as a ‘legend’ tweeting: “Very sad to hear that Jean Alexandra (Hilda Ogden) has passed away. A true legend.”
Liz Dawn, 76, better known as Vera Duckworth, said: “Jean was lovely to me when I first started in the Street — kind-hearted and very professional.
“Hilda was one of the show’s great characters and Jean played her brilliantly. She’ll be greatly missed.”
Bill Roach, 84, who has played Ken Barlow since Coronation Street began in 1960, said: “Jean could make you laugh, particularly with Hilda’s comedy singing, but she could also deliver incredibly moving performances and make you cry. She was a wonderful actress.”
Julie Goodyear, 74, who played brassy barmaid Bet Lynch, said: “Jean Alexander was the exact opposite of Hilda Ogden.
“This proves what an amazing actress she was. Jean was a very private person and meticulous in her work. Rest in Peace, Jean.”
John Whiston, creative director at ITV Studios, said: “Hilda Ogden was the earthy heart of the show for very many years, and the brilliance of Jean as an actor was that she could shift from high comedy to deeply emotional and moving drama in a heartbeat.
“That takes real skill and real acting, but also real humanity. That is what the world has lost with her passing.”
While Aldi Ray – the creator of Citizen Khan – write: “RIP Jean Alexander. Hilda Ogden an institutional character. She's was our neighbour! #Corrie.”
Someone else pointed out how she is an actress with true staying power – writing: “Hilda Ogden hasn't been on #Corrie for nearly 30 years, but her name is still daily currency. Say it and people know *exactly* who you mean.”
As actress Jean Alexander passes away, here are Hilda Ogden’s best ever Coronation Street moments
The hugely popular actress played the part of feisty Hilda for 23 years, having started her career in Macclesfield, Oldham and Stockport.
She received a 1987 BAFTA TV Award nomination for Best Actress and retired from acting in 2012.
In 1984 hundreds of fans sent her condolence cards after the death of her on-screen husband Stan Ogden, played by Bernard Youens, who had died shortly before his character was killed off.
In 1985 she received the Royal Television Society Award for her performance on Coronation Street.
When she decided to leave the programme in 1987, fans started “Save Hilda!” campaigns.
Her final touching scene in the Rovers Return attracted more than 27 million viewers.
In 1988 Jean made a guest appearance in the long-running BBC comedy series Last of the Summer Wine as Auntie Wainwright, the money-grabbing local junk shop owner but then became a regular in the show until it ended in 2010.
In 2005 the UK TV Times poll voted her as the “Greatest Soap Opera Star of All Time”.
In 2005, she was voted the nation’s favourite soap character, while in her 1980s heyday, Hilda was behind only the Queen, Queen Mother and Princess Diana in a poll of the most recognisable women in Britain.
It's thought her last public appearance was on the Paul O'Grady show in 2005.
Got a story? email [email protected] or call us direct on 02077824220