This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/entertainment/8391523.stm

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Street actress Jones dies aged 75 Street actress Jones dies aged 75
(11 minutes later)
Coronation Street actress Maggie Jones, who played Blanche Hunt in the soap, has died in hospital at the age of 75.Coronation Street actress Maggie Jones, who played Blanche Hunt in the soap, has died in hospital at the age of 75.
The actress, who is best known for her harsh put-downs and sharp tongue, first appeared in the show 35 years ago. A spokeswoman for the ITV show said the star, who had been recovering from an operation in October, had "passed away peacefully" on Wednesday morning.
In October, Jones was admitted to hospital for major surgery, but a spokesperson for the show had said her condition was improving. William Roache, who plays Ken Barlow, said she was a "brilliant actress" who had an "amazing dry wit".
Scriptwriters wrote her out of the show while she recovered. Jones won several soap awards for playing Blanche. She first appeared as Blanche, who is best known for her harsh put-downs and sharp tongue, 35 years ago.
She only became a regular cast member in 1999 after numerous occasional appearances. 'Condition deteriorated'
Jones was admitted to hospital for major surgery in October. It is not clear what she was being treated for.
"Maggie had been making a slow recovery but her condition deteriorated early Wednesday morning and she passed away peacefully in her sleep," the spokeswoman said.
I don't think Maggie ever realised how much she was loved not only by everyone on the show but by the millions of Blanche fans out there Ken Roache, who plays Ken Barlow
Roache, who played Blanche's son-in-law, said: "Maggie was a big part of the Barlow family and a brilliant actress.
"She was a tower of strength, physically frail but mentally strong as an ox and sharp as someone half her age.
"She had an amazing dry wit and was as funny, if not funnier, than Blanche. We were great crossword partners - we sat through Tracy's trial scenes doing the crossword together."
He added: "I don't think Maggie ever realised how much she was loved - not only by everyone on the show but by the millions of Blanche fans out there. She will be greatly missed."
Jones, who won several soap awards, only became a regular cast member in 1999 after numerous occasional appearances as Blanche.
She also appeared twice in the soap, playing different characters. Her first appearance on the show was as a policewoman in 1961.
Jones, a graduate of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (Rada), began her career on stage, and had a number of different theatre roles before moving in to television.Jones, a graduate of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (Rada), began her career on stage, and had a number of different theatre roles before moving in to television.
Since undergoing surgery, Jones had not returned to work. Scriptwriters had written her out of the show while she recovered from her operation.
However, because the show is filmed six weeks in advance Jones she was still seen on screen until recently. But, because the show is filmed six weeks in advance, Jones she was still seen on screen until recently.
Her character Blanche was seen getting drunk and revealing some home truths at a family gathering.Her character Blanche was seen getting drunk and revealing some home truths at a family gathering.