Jean Alexander dead aged 90

[Bombay]

Jean Alexander dead aged 90: Coronation Street's Hilda Ogden dies in hospital three days after birthday:

Coronation Street legend Jean Alexander has died in hospital just three days after her 90th birthday.

The woman known to millions as Hilda Ogden passed away peacefully early today (Friday).

She had been taken into hospital on Tuesday, the day of her birthday, after feeling unwell.

Her niece, Sonia Hearld, 64, told how she received a phone call from the hospital breaking the bad news.

“It is such a shock” she said.

She told how Jean had been been taken poorly just a few days earlier as family and friends planned to gather to celebrate her 90th last weekend.

“She had been feeling a little poorly and had gone in for some tests” she said.

After a couple of days in hospital she was allowed back the care home, where she had been looked after since suffering a slight stroke in 2014.

“But on Tuesday she was still not too good and it was decided she might be better going back into hospital.”

Today Sonia and her sister Valerie Thewlis, 60, were awaiting further news of their beloved aunt’s final hours.

The women had to break the news of her death to their father, Jean’s brother, Kenneth Hodgkinson, 91.

The are the only relatives of Jean, who never married and instead dedicated her life to her career.

“I saw her last week and she seemed weak and a bit tired but this was still a shock.

“The hospital phoned me and said they were very sorry but Jean had passed away.”

Sonia said Jean had been back on her feet soon after her stroke in June 2014.

Days after she was rushed to hospital in an ambulance, Jean told her fans via the Mirror.

"Don't worry, I am fit and well, but thank you so much for your goodwill messages.

"I suffered a very slight stroke but I hope to be back in the garden in no time at all."

And she laughed: "I've spent my career playing old ladies - now I am one."

But she added: “Don’t write me off yet, there's still so much I plan to see and do.”

When she returned to her home the following September she said: "I'm back home where I am happy, fit and well after that little hiccup. I am getting on with life as normal.

"I am enjoying life with family and friends. In fact I'm just going out to do the weekly shop.”

http://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/jean ... 90-9046029

[denisegr]

For those of you old enough to remember
Woman Stanley woman
RIP Jean/ Hillary, well loved and sadly missed

[Brian Yare]

Lots of people die. I've never heard of this one.

[carrie]

I used to love the three curlers sticking out from under her scarf.

[Bombay]

Lots of people die. I've never heard of this one.

So why comment?