Former Hollyoaks and Only Fools And Horses star Diane Langton has died aged 77, sources confirmed on Wednesday, DailyMail reports.
The popular actress, Diane Langton whose career in TV and film spanned more than six decades, passed away shortly after returning to Hollyoaks for a third time. A cause of is yet to be confirmed.
Issuing a statement on Wednesday afternoon, her agent said:’ I am sad to say that Diane Langton passed away this morning.
‘Diane had a rich and remarkable career appearing on Stage, in Films, and on television, including playing the iconic Nana McQueen in Hollyoaks from 2007 to the present day.
He added: ‘Diane trained at the Corona Academy and started her professional career as a dancer, touring with ballet companies throughout Europe, followed by appearances on That Was the Week That Was and The London Palladium.’
Diane Langton enjoyed a prolific career before endearing herself to a younger generation of fans as Nana in Channel 4 teen soap Hollyoaks.
The actress made her first appearance as the brash, pink-rinsed matriarch in 2007, enjoying a two year spell on the show before leaving in 2009.
She eventually reprised her role in 2012, before leaving for a second time in 2023, only to return in 2024.
Diane Langton famously played Derek ‘Del Boy’ Trotter’s love interest June Snell in two episodes of iconic BBC sitcom Only Fools And Horses in 1985 and ’86.
Born in Somerset, the actress began her career as a dancer before cutting her teeth as an actress on stage and screen.
She won her film debut alongside British acting greats Charles Hawtrey and Kenneth Williams in 1959 classic Carry On Teacher, with an uncredited role as a schoolgirl.
More prominent roles would come in British comedy Percy’s Progress, popular sitcom The Rag Trade and sex-farce Confessions Of A Pop Performer as she established herself throughout the 1970s.
Diane Langton would also return to the Carry On franchise with roles in 1975 release Carry On Laughing, and Carry On England – released in 1976.
Other memorable TV appearances included six episodes of long-running ITV drama Heartbeat, in which she played Ruby Rowan, and EastEnders
Fans of the BBC soap will remember Langton as Bev Williams – Cindy Beale’s mother – between 1998 and ’99.
Langton also enjoyed a lengthy stage career that included numerous West End roles, among them Hair, Billy Elliot, A Chorus Line, Chicago, Jesus Christ Superstar and Mary Poppins.
Discussing her role in A Chorus Line with Broadway Buzz in 2011, she said: ‘The original Broadway company came and did six months, and I took over straight away as Morales, singing Nothing and What I Did For Love.
‘At the time, they hadn’t cast Morales because they couldn’t find someone who could sing those numbers and dance, as well, and I auditioned and auditioned.
‘They asked me to lose weight, which I did -a lot! I had to lose four stone (56 pounds). I did a year in A Chorus Line and then I left to do a TV show and came back to do the last six months.
‘They asked me to return and I said, “Are you kidding?” I’d have taken their arm off to do it! I loved the show so, so much.’
Reflecting on her lifelong passion for theatre, she added: ‘I’m compulsed! I know there’s no such word, but that describes what I am.
‘My son says to me, “Why don’t you retire?” and I say, “To what?” I would go insane. When I don’t work, I’m a nightmare after two weeks.’