Elizabeth Kelly
Elizabeth Kelly | |
|---|---|
Kelly as Nellie Ellis in EastEnders | |
| Born | Elizabeth Hutton Kelly 29 May 1921 Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, England |
| Died | 31 December 2025 (aged 104) Scarborough, North Yorkshire, England |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1967–2007 |
| Known for | EastEnders |
| Spouse |
John Trower
(m. 1943; died 1968) |
| Children | 2 |
Elizabeth Hutton Trower (née Kelly; 29 May 1921 – 31 December 2025) was an English actress. With a career spanning 40 years in television and film, she was known for portraying Nellie Ellis in the BBC soap opera EastEnders between 1993 and 1998, and again for a one-off appearance in 2000.
Early life
Elizabeth Hutton Kelly was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, on 29 May 1921, the daughter of Elizabeth (née Tulip) and Albert Kelly.[1][2]
Career
Kelly began her acting career in the late 1960s.[3][4] She played Edie Burgess in the ITV soap opera Coronation Street in 1971 and went on to portray various roles in several televised drama series including The Bill, Boon, Spender, and Where the Heart Is, as well as the television film Cider with Rosie among others.[5]
In 1993, Kelly joined the cast of the BBC soap opera EastEnders as Nellie Ellis, the interfering relative of Pauline Fowler, portraying the role until 1998, before returning briefly in 2000 for the funeral of Ethel Skinner (Gretchen Franklin).[6] After leaving EastEnders, Kelly appeared in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale as Edith Weatherall in 2002, as well as appearing in episodes of The Inspector Lynley Mysteries, Steel River Blues and Heartbeat. Her final acting role was in The Royal in 2007.[7]
Personal life and death
In June 1943, she married playwright John Trower.[1] He predeceased her in 1968, aged 55.[8] Together they had two children, a son and a daughter. Kelly had several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.[9]
Kelly celebrated her 100th birthday in May 2021, and died on 31 December 2025 in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, aged 104.[10][11][12] Her death was announced on 4 February 2026, with her funeral service set to take place at St Peter's Church in Scarborough on 17 February, followed by a private burial.[13][14]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | The Savage Hunt | Lesly's Mother | |
| 1988 | Without a Clue | Landlady | |
| 1993 | The Making of '...And God Spoke' | Julie | |
| 2002 | 24 Hour Party People | Ian's Gran | |
| Sources: [3][7] | |||
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | Magical Mystery Tour | Passenger on the Bus | Television film. Uncredited role |
| 1968 | City '68 | Mrs. Burton | Episode: "In Memoriam" |
| The War of Darkie Pilbeam | Nurse | Episode: "Phase III: August 1945" | |
| 1969 | Coronation Street | Spokeswoman | 1 episode |
| 1970 | A Family at War | Woman in Shelter | Episode: "If It's Got Your Number on It" |
| The Sinners | Mrs. Whalan | Episode: "Dividends" | |
| 1971 | Coronation Street | Edie Burgess | 2 episodes |
| A Family at War | Superintendent | Episode: "The Fundamental Things Apply" | |
| 1972 | Home and Away | Gertie | Episode: "The Cold Wind Doth Blow" |
| Holly | Mrs. Elliot | 1 episode | |
| 1973 | Shabby Tiger | Brewer | Episode: "Strawberries and Champagne" |
| 1977 | When the Boat Comes In | Shopper | Episode: "Letters from Afar" |
| 1984 | How We Used to Live | Emily Holroyd | 4 episodes: "1902–1926" |
| Miracles Take Longer | Mrs. Potter | 2 episodes | |
| 1987 | Grange Hill | Mrs. Hoskins | 1 episode |
| How We Used to Live | Charlotte Selby | Episode: "1954–1970: Easter Holiday (1958)" | |
| The Gemini Factor | Woman in Cafe | Episode: "Mirror Image" | |
| 1988 | American Playhouse | Mary | 3 episodes: "Strange Interlude: Parts 1–3" |
| The Bill | Mrs. Paynter | Episode: "Getting Stressed" | |
| 1992 | Motormouth | Mabel Church | 1 episode |
| Resnick: Lonely Hearts | Olive Peters | 2 episodes | |
| Covington Cross | Mother Cecilia | Episode: "Outlaws" | |
| Boon | Lucy Keel | Episode: "Blackballed" | |
| 1993 | Spender | Elderly Lady | Episode: "Bad Company" |
| What's Up Doc? | Mrs. Sally Anderson | 1 episode | |
| The Detectives | Mrs. Connors | Episode: "Go West Old Man" | |
| 1993–1998, 2000 | EastEnders | Nellie Ellis | Series regular; 138 episodes |
| 1995 | That's Showbusiness | Herself - Panellist | 1 episode |
| 1998 | Heartbeat | Ethel Simcox | Episode: "For Better or Worse" |
| Cider with Rosie | Miss. Pimbury | Television film | |
| 1999 | Tilly Trotter | Annie Trotter | Mini-series; 2 episodes |
| Where the Heart Is | Maggie | Episode: "Not My Brother" | |
| 2001 | The Bill | Mrs. Predota | Episode: "Greed" |
| 2002 | Rescue Me | Nan | 4 episodes |
| The Inspector Lynley Mysteries | Mrs. G | Episode: "For the Sake of Elena" | |
| 2002, 2005 | Emmerdale | Edith Weatherall | Recurring role; 3 episodes |
| 2004 | Steel River Blues | Mrs. Hodge | Episode: "Bloody Fridays" |
| Heartbeat | Mrs. Fry | Episode: "Fakers and Frauds" | |
| 2007 | The Royal | Edith Taylor | Episode: "Can't Buy Me Love" |
| Sources: [3][7] | |||
Radio
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | You Only Live Twice: The Radio Play | (voice) | BBC Radio 4 play; also online and video |
| Sources: [3][7] | |||
References
- ^ a b "Marriage notice". The Journal. 28 June 1943. p. 3. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
- ^ Hayward, Anthony (1996). Who's Who on Television. Boxtree. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
- ^ a b c d "Elizabeth Kelly". Rotten Tomatoes. 29 May 1921. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- ^ "Elizabeth Kelly | TVmaze".
- ^ Denman, Amy; Rigney, Catriona (4 February 2026). "EastEnders legend Elizabeth Kelly who played Nellie Ellis dies aged 104". OK! Magazine. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
- ^ Duke, Simon (19 February 2015). "Eastenders 30th Anniversary: Newcastle actors who've been in the BBC soap". Chronicle Live. Retrieved 7 November 2024.
- ^ a b c d "Elizabeth Kelly filmography". Plex.tv. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
- ^ "John H. P. Trower". FreeBMD. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
- ^ "Inside Elizabeth Kelly's family life as EastEnders star dies aged 104". Hello!. 4 February 2026. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
- ^ McGrath, Rachel (4 February 2026). "EastEnders' Nellie Ellis actor Elizabeth Kelly dies at the age of 104". The Independent. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
- ^ Adams, Michael. "Elizabeth Kelly, EastEnders' beloved Nellie Ellis, dies aged 104 | Radio Times". Radio Times. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
- ^ "Former EastEnders star Elizabeth Kelly dies aged 104". Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 4 February 2026. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
- ^ "Coronation Street and EastEnders icon dies aged 104 as fans pay tribute". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. 4 February 2026. Retrieved 4 February 2026.
- ^ Denman, Amy; Bridge, Olivia (4 February 2026). "EastEnders' legend Elizabeth Kelly dies aged 104". Birmingham Live. Retrieved 4 February 2026.