2 February 2011 Last updated at 10:21Gavin and Stacey actress Margaret John dies at 84
Margaret John starred as neighbour Doris in Gavin and Stacey
Gavin and Stacey actress Margaret John has died at the age of 84, it has been announced.
John, who also starred in the BBC Wales comedy High Hopes, died in hospital in Swansea after a short illness.
The actress, who received a Bafta Cymru Lifetime Achievement award in 2009, starred as neighbour Doris in the Barry-based BBC hit comedy.
Gavin and Stacey co-star James Corden Tweeted: "A great actress and an incredible lady. She will be missed."
John appeared on stage in Calendar Girls in the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff last summer.
Her last appearance on screen was in the new S4C drama Alys on Sunday night's programme
Although known in recent years for her colourful one-liners in Gavin and Stacey, the Swansea-born actress had a long and distinguished career.
Last year a special BBC Wales programme called Margaret John - National Treasure charting her acting career which spanned 50 years was broadcast on St David's Day, 1 March.
Born in Swansea, John left drama school in 1950.
Her earlier career included a brief spell in Coronation Street in 1965 as well as a role in Z Cars, Dr Who, Dixon of Dock Green and Emmerdale Farm.
John also starred in David Schwimmer's British film comedy Run Fatboy Run (2007) and enjoyed recent appearances in medical dramas Casualty and Doctors, and the Welsh-set BBC drama Framed with Trevor Eve and Eve Myles.
John received a Bafta Cymru Lifetime Achievement award in 2009
The late 1970s saw John star as Marian Owen in another soap opera, Crossroads (famous for its wobbly sets), and from 1984 she starred in medical drama The District Nurse as Gwen Harris alongside fellow Welsh actor Nerys Hughes.
In the 90s she starred in BBC Wales sit-com Satellite City, set in a fictional south Wales valleys town.
She played the part of Elsie 'Mam' Hepplewhite in BBC Wales comedy High Hopes between 2002 and 2008, starring alongside Robert Blythe and Boyd Clack.
John recently had a role in spoof valleys film comedy A Bit Of Tom Jones and an appearance in the second series of BBC Three drama Being Human.
Last year the actress lent her support to a £20m scheme to reduce social loneliness among the elderly people in Wales.
Sad - Good actor
