Elsie Kelly: Benidorm Star Dies at 89 – Coronation Street Role

Q: What was Elsie Kelly's most famous role?

Noreen Maltby in the ITV sitcom Benidorm (2007–2012, 2015–2018).

Q: What other TV shows was Elsie Kelly in?

She appeared in Crossroads, The Famous Five, Harry and the Wrinklies, and Coronation Street (as Mrs. Hargreaves in 2011).

Few television faces are as warmly recognised as Noreen Maltby from Benidorm, and that is down to the actress who played her: Elsie Kelly. When news broke on 22 April 2026 that she had died at 89, tributes poured in from across British television, led by BBC News, which called her a “comic genius.”

Born: 7 June 1936 ·
Died: 21 April 2026 ·
Age at Death: 89 ·
Notable TV Role: Noreen Maltby in Benidorm ·
Other Notable Shows: Crossroads, Skins, Coronation Street

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts

Born 7 June 1936 in Liverpool, England (BBC News)
Died 21 April 2026 at age 89 in Birkenhead (ITV News Granada)
Played Noreen Maltby in Benidorm from 2007 to 2012 and 2015–2018 (IMDb)
Appeared in Coronation Street as Mrs. Hargreaves in 2011 (Turkish Wikipedia)

2What’s unclear

Exact character name in Coronation Street beyond “Mrs. Hargreaves” is not widely documented
Whether she had children remains unconfirmed in public records
Whether she actually had a twin sister in real life is unclear — the twin storyline was fictional

3Timeline signal

Her Benidorm run began in 2007 when she was 70–71 (ITV News Granada)
Her agent confirmed she died peacefully on 21 April 2026 after a short illness (The Independent)
She was surrounded by family at the time of her death (GB News)

4What’s next

Fans and castmates continue to share tributes; Benidorm creator Derren Litten has publicly honoured her (Heat / Hello Rayo)
Her legacy as Noreen Maltby remains one of British sitcom’s most beloved supporting characters (Heat / Hello Rayo)

The table below summarises the key biographical details confirmed by multiple sources.

Six key facts about Elsie Kelly, drawn from verified sources.
Label	Value
Full Name	Elsie Norma Hall (née Kelly) (Wikipedia)
Born	7 June 1936, Liverpool, England (BBC News)
Died	21 April 2026, Birkenhead, England (ITV News Granada)
Age	89 (The Independent)
Occupation	Actress
Known For	Noreen Maltby in Benidorm (ITV News Granada)

Who did Elsie Kelly play in Coronation Street?

Elsie Kelly appeared on Coronation Street in 2011, but not as a major character — she played Mrs. Hargreaves, a minor role spread across two episodes. According to Turkish Wikipedia, the character was a guest part, not a recurring fixture on the cobbles. The IMDb also confirms this 2011 credit.

Was Elsie Kelly in Coronation Street?

Yes: she played Mrs. Hargreaves in 2011 across two episodes (IMDb)

What character did Elsie Kelly portray in Coronation Street?

The role is listed as Mrs. Hargreaves — a guest character with limited screen time (Turkish Wikipedia)

Bottom line: Elsie Kelly had a small guest role on Coronation Street in 2011 as Mrs. Hargreaves — not a long-running part or a famous character. Fans looking for a major Weatherfield storyline will not find one here.

The catch

The confusion is predictable: “Elsie” + “Coronation Street” immediately triggers memories of Elsie Tanner, the iconic character played by Pat Phoenix. Kelly’s part was brief and unconnected.

The implication: viewers searching for Elsie Kelly often expect a major Weatherfield presence, but her actual contribution was a fleeting cameo.

What happened to Elsie Tanner from Coronation Street?

Elsie Tanner was a fictional character on Coronation Street, played by actress Pat Phoenix from 1960 to 1984. She was one of the show’s original characters — a fiery, independent woman who ran a corner shop and had multiple marriages. Elsie Kelly is a completely different person. There is no family relation, no shared storyline, and no connection beyond the first name.

Who played Elsie Tanner?

Pat Phoenix portrayed Elsie Tanner from 1960 to 1984 (Wikipedia)

Is Elsie Kelly related to Elsie Tanner?

No. Elsie Kelly was a real actress; Elsie Tanner is a fictional character. They share no familial or professional link.

Bottom line: The two Elsies exist in entirely separate worlds — one a fictional Weatherfield legend, the other a real-life comic actress from Liverpool. The only thing they share is a name and the same television network.

Why this matters

For anyone searching “Elsie Kelly Coronation Street,” the search engine conflates two different people. Understanding the distinction saves confusion and gives proper credit to both actresses.

The pattern: media obituaries frequently have to clarify the mix‑up, which underscores how easily a shared first name can create misinformation.

How old was Elsie Kelly in Benidorm?

Elsie Kelly was born on 7 June 1936, according to BBC News and Wikipedia. When Benidorm first aired in 2007, she was 70 or 71 years old — an age that made her casting as the sharp-tongued Noreen Maltby all the more delightful to audiences. She continued playing the role until 2018, meaning she was around 82 when her final episode aired.

How old was Elsie Kelly when she died?

89 years old (BBC News)

When did Elsie Kelly first appear in Benidorm?

2007, the first series of the ITV sitcom (ITV News Granada)

Bottom line: Kelly was 70 when Benidorm launched and 82 when she finished the role — a remarkable span that made her one of the oldest regular cast members in British sitcom history.

Was Elsie Kelly ever married?

Elsie Kelly was married and took the surname Hall. Wikipedia records her full name as Elsie Norma Hall (née Kelly). Beyond that, details about her husband, the length of the marriage, and whether she had children are not publicly documented. This is not unusual for actors of her generation who kept their personal lives private.

Did Elsie Kelly have children?

No public records confirm whether she had children. The information is not available in any verified source.

What was Elsie Kelly’s married name?

Hall — she was known professionally as Elsie Kelly but legally as Elsie Norma Hall (Wikipedia)

Bottom line: Her married surname was Hall, but her acting career was always credited as Elsie Kelly. The privacy around her family life means little is known about her spouse or children.

The trade-off

For a public figure, keeping family details private is a personal choice. For researchers and fans, it leaves gaps that speculation sometimes fills — but the verified record is clear about what is known and what is not.

What this means: the handful of confirmed personal facts are outnumbered by the unknowns, forcing obituaries to rely on what can be corroborated.

Is Elsie Kelly still alive?

No. Elsie Kelly died on 21 April 2026 at the age of 89 in Birkenhead, Cheshire. Her agent, Michelle Sykes, confirmed she died peacefully after a short illness, surrounded by her family (The Independent). GB News also reported her representative’s statement that she was by her family’s side.

When did Elsie Kelly die?

21 April 2026 (BBC News)

Where did Elsie Kelly die?

Birkenhead, Cheshire, England (Heat / Hello Rayo)

Bottom line: Elsie Kelly died at 89 in Birkenhead, with her family present. Her death was not unexpected — she had been ill for a short period — but the loss still reverberated across British television, with tributes from Benidorm creator Derren Litten and her former castmates.

Timeline: Elsie Kelly’s life and career

7 June 1936: Elsie Kelly born in Liverpool, England (BBC News)
1960s–2000s: Acting career includes Crossroads, The Famous Five, and Harry and the Wrinklies (IMDb)
2007: Cast as Noreen Maltby in the ITV sitcom Benidorm (ITV News Granada)
2011: Guest role as Mrs. Hargreaves in Coronation Street (IMDb)
21 April 2026: Elsie Kelly dies at age 89 in Birkenhead (BBC News)

“A comic genius and one of the best-loved characters from Benidorm.”

BBC News (UK broadcaster)

“Elsie Norma Hall (née Kelly; 7 June 1936 – 21 April 2026) was an English actress.”

Wikipedia (community-maintained encyclopedia)

“She died in Birkenhead, Cheshire.”

Heat / Hello Rayo (entertainment news outlet)

Additional sources

express.co.uk, ru.wikipedia.org, coronationstreet.fandom.com, tvmaze.com, uaepress.ae

Frequently asked questions

What was Elsie Kelly’s most famous role?

Noreen Maltby in the ITV sitcom Benidorm (2007–2012, 2015–2018).

Did Elsie Kelly appear in Skins?

Yes — she had a guest role in the British teen drama, though specific episode details are not widely documented.

What other TV shows was Elsie Kelly in?

She appeared in Crossroads, The Famous Five, Harry and the Wrinklies, and Coronation Street (as Mrs. Hargreaves in 2011).

Where was Elsie Kelly born?

Liverpool, Lancashire, England — on 7 June 1936.

What was Elsie Kelly’s cause of death?

She died after a short illness, according to her agent. A specific cause has not been publicly disclosed.

How long did Elsie Kelly play Noreen in Benidorm?

Her main run was 2007–2012 (series 1–6), followed by a return from 2015–2018 (series 8–10).

For the fans who grew up watching her as Noreen Maltby on holiday in the Spanish sun, Elsie Kelly leaves behind a warm, sharp, and utterly British comic legacy. For the industry that celebrated her, she was a reminder that character actors — the ones who never seek the spotlight — often deliver the most memorable performances. Her death at 89 closes a chapter on one of ITV’s most-watched sitcoms, but the laughter she brought to millions will not fade.