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Roy Hudd death: Coronation Street star and BBC comedy host dies aged 83

Veteran entertainer’s death was confirmed by his agent

Adam White
Monday 16 March 2020 11:20 GMT
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Comedian and actor Roy Hudd dies aged 83

Roy Hudd, the actor and entertainer, has died at the age of 83.

Hudd’s death was confirmed by his agent.

“We are sad to announce the passing of the much-loved and amazingly talented Roy Hudd OBE,” his agent’s statement read.

“After a short illness, Roy passed away peacefully on Sunday 15 March, with his wife Debbie at his side,” adding: “The family would ask you to respect their privacy at this very sad time.”

Hudd was best known as an actor for his role as Harold Atterbow in Dennis Potter’s acclaimed mini-series Lipstick on Your Collar.

He also portrayed undertaker Archie Shuttleworth on Coronation Street from 2002 until 2003, and appeared in series including Ashes to Ashes, Call the Midwife and New Tricks.

Arguably his best known work was as co-host of the BBC Radio 2 satire The News Huddlines, which ran from 1975 to 2001. He also portrayed Max Quordlepleen, host of The Restaurant at the End of the Universe, in the original radio production of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.

As a young man, Hudd found fame as a comedian, initially alongside fellow comic Eddy Kay, before venturing out as a solo act.

He would appear in pantomime and variety productions throughout his career, most recently playing his first pantomime dame in a 2015 production of Dick Whittington and His Cat at London’s Wilton’s Music Hall.

He was awarded an OBE in 2004.

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