Published: 16:08, 12 September 2022 | Updated: 16:55, 12 September 2022
Actress Gwyneth Powell, known to British TV viewers as headmistress Bridget McClusky in the BBC series Grange Hill, has died aged 76.
Her agent Matthew Lacey said in a statement on behalf of the family that she died ‘after complications following a major operation for a perforated colon.’
The actress died surrounded by loved ones on August 8, with the statement adding: ‘She passed away peacefully, with her husband (Alan Leith) and niece at her bedside.
‘Gwyneth will be greatly missed by her adoring family and friends along with her many fans from multiple TV appearances.’
Tragic: Actress Gwyneth Powell, known to millions of British TV viewers as headmistress Mrs. McClusky in BBC series, has died aged 76
The Lancashire-born actress began her acting career in 1969 after originally training to be a teacher at Goldsmith’s College in London.
Her first roles would include a cameo in legendary British police drama Z Cars and science fiction thriller The Guardians, in which she starred as Clare Weston across 11 episodes.
In the seventies she would be introduced to Coronation Street fans as Diana Kenton, a minor role she held for three episodes of the long-running soap opera in 1976.
But it was her starring role as headmistress Mrs. McClusky in teenage school drama Grange Hill that turned her into a household name.
Success: The Lancashire-born actress began her acting career in 1969 after originally training to be a teacher at Goldsmith’s College in London (pictured here in 2001)
Legendary: But it was her starring role as headmistress Mrs. McClusky in teenage school drama Grange Hill that turned her into a household name
The actress appeared in 169 episodes of the hugely popular show from 1980 – two years after its original launch – until 1991, seventeen years before its final episode would be aired by the BBC.
A popular presence on the show, Powell had asked to be written out in order to focus on other roles, among them appearances on TV staples Casualty and Heartbeat.
She would also star alongside comedian Greg Davies – himself a teacher before finding fame as an entertainer – in his Channel 4 comedy Man Down.
Old times: Early TV roles included science fiction thriller The Guardians, in which she played Clare Weston across 11 episodes, including this one from 1971
Fleeting appearance: In the seventies she would be introduced to Coronation Street fans as Diana Kenton, a minor role she held for three episodes of the long-running soap opera in 1976
Bedfellows: Powell starred alongside Sir David Jason in a 1997 episode of A Touch Of Frost, playing Kitty Rayford
Patricia Hidalgo, director of BBC Children’s and Education, said: ‘We are very sorry to hear of the passing of Gwyneth Powell.
Her famous portrayal of Mrs McClusky is one that will be fondly remembered by all those who grew up watching Grange Hill.
‘Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this sad time.’
