EastEnders legend Elizabeth Kelly who starred as beloved busybody Nellie Ellis dies aged 104 after 40-year TV career

Kelly’s career spanned roles in a whole host of British soaps
EASTENDERS legend Elizabeth Kelly has died aged 104.

Kelly’s career spanned 40 years and saw her make appearances on some of the most iconic shows on British television – as well as cult indie film 24 Hour Party People in 2002, alongside Steve Coogan.

She was best known for playing Nellie Ellis, the busybody relative of Pauline Fowler in the iconic BBC soap.

Born Elizabeth Trower in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1921, Kelly landed her first major TV role in 1971 at the age of 50, when she was cast as the penny-pinching Edie Burgess in an episode of Coronation Street.

After this, Kelly became a familiar face in popular British soaps, going on to appear in episodes of Home and Away, Grange Hill, Emmerdale, Heartbeat, The Bill, and most notably – EastEnders.

From 1993 to 2000, Kelly appeared in 138 episodes of the critically acclaimed BBC soap, playing the sharp-tongued auntie of Pauline Fowler – Nellie Ellis.

Nellie was an Albert Square staple, frequently sparring with Pauline’s husband Arthur Fowler or moving her belongings into the Fowler household.

A spokesperson for the soap said: “Elizabeth Kelly created a wonderful character in Nellie Ellis, and it is with great sadness that we learn of her passing.

“Those who worked with Elizabeth at EastEnders will remember her fondly for her warmth and kindness, and our love and thoughts are with Elizabeth’s family and friends.”

Kelly retired from acting in 2007, with her last role in The Royal, reportedly spending most of her later years with her family in North Yorkshire.

A widow, she has one daughter and one son and various grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She was one of TV’s few centenarians when she passed away on December 25 at the age of 104.

A funeral service will be held at St Peter’s Church, Scarborough, on Tuesday, February 17, followed by a private burial.

She is understood to have died on Christmas Day last year.

St Peter’s Father Eddie Gubbins told The Sun Kelly had been living at various care homes for a few years, and he often visited her to give holy communion as she was “too frail” to attend the church.

He said: “She was a very strong lady and had a beautiful voice.”

Fr Gubbins believes she simply died of “old age”, adding: “She had a very peaceful death in the end.

“She was a beautiful lady and very gracious.”

He last saw her just days before her death.

“She was too frail for church, so we came to her in her care home… that would have been early December,” he said.