Actor Roy Hudd - who unveiled Rochdale's Gracie Fields statue - dies after short illness

Actor Roy Hudd, who unveiled Rochdale town centre’s statue of Dame Gracie Fields, has sadly died after a short illness, his agent has confirmed.

Mr Hudd died on 15 March aged 83.

Having known Gracie for many years, Mr Hudd, then-President of the Music Hall Association, unveiled a bronze statue of her likeness outside Rochdale Town Hall in September 2016.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/105134/statue-of-dame-gracie-fields-unveiled-by-roy-hudd-in-rochdale-town-centre

Speaking to Rochdale Online at the opening, Mr Hudd said it had been “very important” to him as “Gracie meant a lot to me.”

 

 

In a statement, Mr Hudd’s agent said: “We are sad to announce the passing of the much loved and amazingly talented Roy Hudd OBE.

“After a short illness, Roy passed away peacefully on the afternoon of Sunday 15 March, with his wife Debbie at his side.

“The family would ask you to respect their privacy at this very sad time.”

Mr Hudd’s career began in the 1950s, seeing him play a variety of roles over the years, such as Archie Shuttleworth, a regular on ITV’s Coronation Street.

He had also starred in Broadchurch, Casualty, Benidorm, Midsomer Murders, Ashes to Ashes and Call the Midwife, and presented the BBC Radio 2 segment ‘The News Huddlines’ for 26 years.

In 2003, Mr Hudd was awarded an OBE in the New Year’s Honour for his continued contribution to entertainment.