Actress Elizabeth Kelly, celebrated for her appearances in both EastEnders and Coronation Street, has died aged 104.
The veteran performer passed away on Christmas Day 2025, with news of her death confirmed this week.
A private funeral service will take place at St. Peter’s Church in Scarborough on February 17.
Father Eddie Gubbins, who regularly visited Ms Kelly to administer holy communion at her care home, paid tribute to the late actress. “She was a very strong lady and had a beautiful voice,” he told The Sun.
The priest, who last saw Ms Kelly in early December, believes she died of old age, though no official cause has been confirmed.
“She had a very peaceful death in the end. She was a beautiful lady and very gracious,” Father Gubbins added.
Ms Kelly remains best remembered for her portrayal of Nellie Ellis in EastEnders, a role she inhabited from December 1993 until 2000. The Newcastle-born actress featured in 138 episodes of the BBC soap during this period.
Her character was introduced as Lou Beale’s cousin, making her first appearance at Pete Beale’s funeral before subsequently moving in with the Fowler household.
Elizabeth Kelly (right) starred as Nellie in EastEnders
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BBC
Nellie was frequently depicted in conflict with Arthur Fowler, played by Bill Treacher, the husband of her niece Pauline, portrayed by Wendy Richard.
The character developed an unlikely bond with Gretchen Franklin’s Ethel Skinner, with the pair often sharing drinks at The Queen Vic despite their differences.
They eventually became neighbours in sheltered accommodation, and Kelly’s final scenes came following Ethel’s death in 2000.
Kelly’s television career began in 1971 when she made her small screen debut at the age of 50, playing the miserly Edie Burgess in Coronation Street.
Elizabeth Kelly starred in EastEnders from 1993 to 2000
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BBC
In the ITV soap, her character was Emily Bishop’s sister-in-law and mother to Freda.
Her first screen appearance came earlier in an uncredited role in The Beatles’ film Magical Mystery Tour.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, she accumulated credits in programmes including A Family at War and Grange Hill, later adding Emmerdale, Heartbeat and The Bill to her extensive CV.
Ms Kelly also appeared in the Australian soap Home and Away and took on multiple roles in both Heartbeat and its spin-off The Royal.
Elizabeth Kelly starred in several major soaps
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BBC
On the big screen, she featured in Without a Clue, The Savage Hunt and the cult Manchester music scene film 24 Hour Party People alongside Steve Coogan.
Born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne on 29 May 1921, Kelly embarked on her acting career in the late 1960s, building a body of work that spanned four decades.
Beyond the screen, she performed in theatrical productions such as Murder in the Cathedral, Getting Married and A Man for All Seasons.
Her final acting role came in 2007 with an appearance in The Royal, after which she stepped away from the profession.
Kelly reportedly spent her later years with family in North Yorkshire before her health declined, necessitating moves to various care homes where she was visited by Father Gubbins for communion.
She was widowed at the time of her death and is survived by her son and daughter, along with several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
