TRIBUTES have been paid to one of the stars of the classic film The Railway Children, Deddie Davies, following her death aged 78.
The prolific Welsh star, who appeared in a string of TV shows, was described as “a highly intelligent, joyful, talented and spectacularly spirited woman who was an inspiration to us all”.
She was perhaps best known for her role as Nell Perks in the 1970 film about the escapades of three children who moved to a house near a Yorkshire railway line, co-starring with a young Jenny Agutter, Gary Warren, Bernard Cribbins and the late Scots-born actor Iain Cuthbertson.
Gone but not forgotten: 120 famous faces we've said goodbye to in 2016
In 2014, she reunited with Agutter, Warren and Cribbins as the latter was presented with the JM Barrie Award for a lifetime of unforgettable work for children on stage, film and television in an event at the BBC’s Broadcasting House in London.
Her long career in TV included roles in Doctors, The Bill, The Forsyte Saga and Some Mothers Do ‘Ave Em. Other credits included Grange Hill, Jeeves and Wooster, Midsomer Murders and Casualty. She also found fame more recently on Sky 1’s series set in the Welsh Valleys, Stella, where she played the character Marj.
Davies was born in Bridgend in 1938 as Gillian Davies.
Stella co-star Ruth Jones said she had been ill for a while before her death.
Gone but not forgotten: 120 famous faces we've said goodbye to in 2016
The actress said: “I saw her about a month ago and showed her the Christmas special on my laptop. She loved working on Stella.
“She said it kept her going and she was massively loved by all the cast and crew.
“She was one of those rare people who didn’t possess a grain of self pity and whose company always brightened your day.
“A highly intelligent, joyful, talented and spectacularly spirited woman who was an inspiration to us all. She absolutely lived life to the full.
“God bless you Deddie. You’ll be unspeakably missed.”
Gone but not forgotten: 120 famous faces we've said goodbye to in 2016
Actor Tony Gardner, who appeared with Davies in Stella, said on Twitter he was “terribly saddened” to hear of her death and described her as a “truly wonderful person.”
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