Only Fools and Horses star and soap legend Diane Langton dies ...

15 January 2025, 16:05 | Updated: 15 January 2025, 17:22

Only Fools and Horses star and soap legend Diane Langton has died aged 77.

She was best known for playing Marlene 'Nana' McQueen in Hollyoaks for 18 years, having first joined in 2007.

Langton left after two years before going on to reprise the role again in 2012.

The actress also appeared in EastEnders as Bev Williams and Heartbeat as Ruby Rowan.

During the '80s, she starred in Only Fools and Horses as Del Boy's love interest, June Snell.

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"I am sad to say that Diane Langton passed away this morning," her agent, Shane Collins, said.

"Diane had a rich and remarkable career appearing on stage, in films, and on television, including playing the iconic Nana McQueen in Hollyoaks from 2007 to the present day."

He added: "Diane trained at the Corona Academy and started her professional career as a dancer, touring with ballet companies throughout Europe, followed by appearances on That Was the Week That Was and The London Palladium."

The actress had a career spanning more than 60 years, with her first credit being for a small role as a schoolgirl in Carry On Teacher.

She went on to appear in Carry On Laughing - the TV spin-off of the film series.

Langton also starred in several West End shows, including Hair, Billy Elliot, A Chorus Line and Chicago.

Other shows she appeared in included Jesus Christ Superstar and Mary Poppins.

When previously asked about her passion for theatre, she said: "I’m compulsed! I know there’s no such word, but that describes what I am. 

"My son says to me, 'Why don’t you retire?' and I say, 'To what?' I would go insane. When I don’t work, I’m a nightmare after two weeks."