Welsh actress Ruth Madoc was one of the most iconic faces of the 1980s, with the star fronting legendary sitcom Hi-de-Hi! as Gladys Pugh.
Gladys served as the radio announcer and sports operator for the holiday camp, and Ruth stayed with the show throughout its eight years on the BBC, providing some of the show’s most iconic moments.
Hi-de-Hi! wasn’t Ruth’s only show, as the actress was also known for her roles in the likes of Leave it to Charlie, Mine All Mine, Casualty and Stella. She continued acting until her death at the age of 79 in 2022, with the star scheduled to perform in a pantomime production of Aladdin until she suffered a fall and passed away following surgery. Her final appearance was a posthumous one in Beyond Paradise.
Ruth was married twice during her life, and her first husband, Philip Madoc, was also a famous actor, who inspired one of the legendary moments from Dad’s Army.
Read on for all you need to know about the actor…
Ruth’s ex-husband Philip Madoc
Like Ruth, Philip also hailed from Wales, and the star quickly become known for his villainous roles. One of his earliest performances came in the Dad’s Army episode, The Deadly Attachment, where he played a German U-boat captain. In the episode, he clashes with Private Pike, and when he asks for his name, Captain Mainwaring responded with the iconic line: “Don’t tell him, Pike!”
Philip also had roles in the likes of The Avengers, Another Bouquet, The Goodies, Operation Daybreak, Best and Doctor Who, playing several roles in the long-running sci-fi show. He also starred alongside Ruth in The Life and Times of David Lloyd George, where he played the former British Prime Minister.
Philip and Ruth married in 1961, nine years after they first met, and during their 20-year marriage, the couple welcomed a son and a daughter, although they didn’t follow their parents into showbusiness. The couple split up in 1981. Ruth married John Jackson in 1982, and they remained together until John’s death in 2021.
Despite Ruth and Philip’s divorce, the pair remained close, and she reflected to the BBC in 2012: “I saw him on a regular basis, and we had the family in common and a love of the business. I’ve got some wonderful, wonderful memories of Philip. He was such a talented actor and had that wonderful voice.”
© Getty ImagesSix years later, Philip would marry Diane Harmer, before they divorced in 2010. The actor died at the age of 77 on 5 March 2012 after he was diagnosed with cancer.
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