EastEnders and Open All Hours star dies, aged 82
Her agent of nearly 30 years, Donna French, confirmed Lynda Baron had passed
ACTRESS Lynda Baron, best known for the BBC sitcom Open All Hours, has died at the age of 82, her agent has announced.
Baron starred opposite Sir David Jason and Ronnie Barker as Arkwright’s busty love interest Nurse Gladys Emmanuel in the hit BBC sitcom, which ran for four series starting in 1976.
She was also well-known amongst younger generations for playing the enigmatic explorer Auntie Mabel in the 1990s BBC children’s programme Come Outside — travelling in her polka-dotted Slingsby T67 Firefly with her dog Pippin.
Baron returned as Nurse Gladys Emmanuel in sequel series Still Open All Hours alongside Sir David Jason when it began airing in 2013.
As Gladys Emmanuel, she played a character who was constantly occupied by her rounds and taking care of her mother while resisting the romantic advances of Arkwright — played by Ronnie Barker.
As Auntie Mabel in Come Outside, she encouraged children to be curious about the world around them, tackling topics such as wood and spiders.
Come Outside ran from 1993 to 1997, during which time the character of Pippin, a mixedbreed dog — half Tibetan Terrier, half Bearded Collie — was played by two different canines.
The series was particularly distinctive for Auntie Mabel’s choice of transport: a small aeroplane (a Slingsby T67 Firefly) decorated with polka dots.
She is also known for playing Linda Clarke, Jane Beale’s mother, in a recurring guest role on Eastenders.
A statement to the PA news agency from her agent of nearly 30 years, Donna French, said: ‘It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved client Lynda Baron.
“She was a wonderful actress and a great friend.
“Her iconic roles of Nurse Gladys in Open All Hours and Aunt Mabel in Come Outside were loved by all generations.
“Renowned for her leading roles in West End musicals and dramatic productions alike, we have lost a leading light of our world.
“We extend our deepest condolences to her daughter Sarah, her son Morgan and all her family.”
Baron originally trained as a dancer at the Royal Academy of Dance and repertory theatre and several West End venues.
She was born in Urmston, Lancashire, in 1939.
Baron also appeared in the ITV sitcom Oh No, It’s Selwyn Froggitt, BBC soap and made appearances in both Doctor Who’s original run and the revived series, Last Of The Summer Wine and Dinner Ladies.
She was nominated for a Bafta in 2011 for her role in The Road To Coronation Street on BBC Four, a one-off drama about the early days of the soap, in which she played actress Violet Carson, who portrayed Ena Sharples in the long-running series.
Her film credits also included 2020’s sports movie Dream Horse which starred Damian Lewis and Joanna Page, Woody Allen’s 2006 romantic crime Scoop and 2005’s Colour Me Kubrick.
Baron also featured in the musical Follies in the West End and in the stage version of In Celebration alongside Orlando Bloom.
She appeared in numerous other theatre productions including An Inspector Calls,
Stepping Out and The Full Monty.
Baron was active in her career until her death.
In 2020, she told the Sunday Post that despite being 81 at the time, she was still open to new acting challenges.
She said: “I loved playing Nurse Gladys and Auntie Mabel but I couldn’t name my favourite of the different characters I have played.
“Partly that is because I am really the sort of person who prefers to look ahead and think about what I am doing now and, importantly, what I am going to do next.”
She married John Lee in 1966 and celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 2016.
The couple had two adult children, Sarah and Morgan.
Tributes flooded in for the late actress when news of her death was confirmed.
Emmerdale actress Lisa Riley paid tribute, recalling fond memories she had of Baron, who played her mother in the drama series Fat Friends.
She shared two photos of them together and wrote: “GOD BLESS YOU LYNDA REST IN PEACE. You played my mum for four wonderful, memorable years in Fat Friends”.
“Each & everyday I learnt so much from you, but mostly we ALWAYS laughed together, your energy will live on FOREVER #restinpeace #legend love ya xxx”
Actor Stuart Antony also shared a photo alongside the actress and added: “Saddened to hear wonderful friend Lynda Baron has sadly passed away.
“She was the nicest person and what a legend. Here we are with Su Pollard just before lockdown — RIP Lynda Baron”.
Sally Lindsay, who played Kath Agnew in the BBC sitcom Still Open All Hours, paid tribute to her co-star Lynda Baron, writing on Twitter: “I loved Lynda Baron.
“She was funny and clever and a joy to work with. She once gifted me a pair of beautiful red shoes.
“This has made me very sad. RIP Lynda darling.”
Writer and presenter Adil Ray, who created BBC sitcom Citizen Khan, wrote: “Very sad to hear of the passing of Lynda Baron.
“Such a lovely lady and a giving, caring person on set.
“We were so honoured when she played a guest role in Citizen Khan. She was so supportive.
“Thoughts with Lynda’s friends and family”.
Gold TV channel, which regularly airs reruns of Open All Hours, tweeted: “We’re all deeply saddened by the passing of Lynda Baron who was well-loved as Nurse Gladys Emmanuel in both Open All Hours and Still Open All Hours. Our thoughts are with her family and friends.’