WIRRAL actress Jean Boht, who was best known for her role of Nellie Boswell in the sitcom Bread, has died at the age of 91.
The family of Boht, who was born in Bebington and was a pupil at Wirral Grammar School for Girls, confirmed in a statement that the star died yesterday (Tuesday, September 13) after battling "vascular dementia and Alzheimer's disease".
The statement from the family read: "It is with overwhelming sadness that we must announce that Jean Boht passed away yesterday, Tuesday, September 12.
“Jean had been battling vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease with the indefatigable spirit for which she was both beloved and renowned.
“She was a resident at Denville Hall, the home for members of the theatrical profession.”
Boht was a member of many amateur societies, including Birkenhead Operatic Society, before breaking into professional theatre in 1961.
Born in Bebingdon in 1932, Boht began her career as a £1-a-week student at the Liverpool Playhouse and went on to join the Bristol Old Vic and Manchester Companies before returning to Liverpool to star alongside Sir Anthony Hopkins, Lynda La Plante and Sir Patrick Stewart.
She also starred at the Royal Court, the National Theatre and at the Chichester Festival, as well as numerous West End theatres.
Her film roles included appearances in The Girl In A Swing, Bad Night For The Blues and Mothers And Daughters.
Her family said they would like to send their “grateful thanks” to everyone at Denville Hall “who have taken such wonderful care of Jean and also to the staff at Hillingdon Hospital who made her so comfortable”.
As well as playing Nellie Boswell in Bread, she was also known for her appearances on shows such as Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em, Last Of The Summer Wine, Brighton Belles, Doctors, Grange Hill, Juliet Bravo and Boys From The Blackstuff.
Running from 1986 to 1991, Bread was watched by more than 20 million people at its peak and Boht won a British Comedy Award for best TV comedy actress.
She was the subject of the biographical television show This Is Your Life in 1989.
Her death comes just a month after the death of her husband, award-winning composer Carl Davis.
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