Where the cast of BBC's Hi-de-Hi are now from soap appearances to tragic deaths

It's now been over 40 years since BBC sitcom Hi-de-Hi first came to our screens.

Set on a classic British holiday camp, the show first aired back in 1980 and was set in the fictional seaside town of Crimpton-on-Sea. Running until 1988, the show was very popular in its day.

The Maplins holiday camp is said to have been loosely based on Butlin's or Pontins. And the success of the show shot many relatively unknown actors into the spotlight, The Mirror reports.

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The stars of iconic sitcom Hi-de-Hi hung up their yellow coats 36 years ago, but many still have fond memories of the loved show. Here we look back at what some of the cast members did next.

This list isn't intended to be comprehensive. But, if you have a favourite character or moment from Hi-de-Hi , let us know in the comments section below.

Peggy Ollerenshaw - Su Pollard

The ditzy chalet maid was desperate to become a Yellowcoat and would attempt to get involved in the action any way she could. Actress Su Pollard played the role to perfection, often with hilarious results.

Following Hi-de-Hi!, Su appeared in more TV comedies including You Rang, M'Lord? and Oh, Doctor Beeching! and performed alongside David Hasselhoff in Peter Pan at the Theatre Royal. Su has also presented Songs of Praise, appeared on Radio 4's Just a Minute, and in December 2010 made a guest appearance in hit ITV comedy Benidorm.

She was also a guest on Strictly Come Dancing, enjoyed a short-lived pop career and made countless appearances in children's pantomimes and various musicals. In 2021, she appeared in TV's celebrity MasterChef In 2023 Su received the outstanding achievement award for her many decades of pantos at the 2023 Pantomime Awards.

Gladys Pugh - Ruth Madoc

Radio Maplin announcer and sports organiser Gladys was well-known on the show for her immortal catchphrase 'Morning campers!' Post Hi-de-Hi! saw Ruth embark on a series of stage productions including numerous Agatha Christie plays and the musical Annie.

She appeared in the David Walliams and Matt Lucas sketch show Little Britain, and also opposite Amanda Holden in travelling circus comedy Big Top. Ruth later bared all in the stage production of Calendar Girls, and appeared on our screens in medical drama Casualty in 2019.

In December 2022, Ruth died at the age of 79 after undergoing surgery following a fall. Her agent confirmed the sad news in a statement: "Ruth passed away on the afternoon of Friday December 9 while in hospital following surgery for a fall she had earlier in the week, which had led her to have to withdraw from panto in Torquay."

Professor Jeffrey Fairbrother - Simon Cadell

The uptight Cambridge-educated professor-cum-entertainment manager prompted many laughs by being completely at odds with his more down-to-earth staff. When the show ended, Simon took to the stage and even received an Olivier Award for his role in the adaptation of Grahame Green's Travels With My Aunt.

He also appeared in wheeler-dealer comedy-drama Minder and sitcom Singles. In 1996, Simon died at the age of 45 after being diagnosed with lymphoma in 1993, while being treated for pneumonia. It came four months after he suffered a near-fatal heart attack following a recital with Joanna Lumley at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London.

Ted Bovis - Paul Shane

A central character to Hi-de-Hi! Ted was the Teddy Boy-quiffed, side-burn sporting rock 'n' roller of the camp. Bedecked in loud checked jackets and a natural on the mic, he made the perfect camp host.

Actor Paul Shane went on to join You Rang, M'Lord, and also had his own early 90s TV series Very Big, Very Soon, where he starred as a down-at-heel actor's agent.

Throughout the decades, he made appearances in Holby City, A Touch of Frost, Emmerdale and countless other theatre and pantomime performances. Paul died at the age of 72 in 2013 after a short illness.

Yvonne Stuart-Hargreaves - Diane Holland

The supercilious Yvonne, spouse of the rather more tranquil Barry, caused a lot of friction - and laughs - by believing she was socially above most of the other Maplins staff members. When her time at the holiday camp ended, actress Dianne appeared in sitcom The Upper Hand and as a music teacher in drama Bergerac.

She also appeared in Are You Being Served spin-off Grace and Favour, where she appeared as infamous female magistrate Celia Littlewood.

She went on to play the maiden aunt in The Nutcracker in The Royal Ballet at Covent Garden and later appeared in Casualty in 2001. Yvonne died in 2009 at the age of 78.

Barry Stuart Hargreaves - Barry Howard

Mild-mannered dance instructor Barry was the perfect foil to his rather snobby spouse Yvonne. He exuded a quiet dignity and forever seemed intent on rising above it all, usually with an arched eyebrow.

Post Hi-de-Hi!, actor Barry went on to join You Rang, M'Lord, as well as appearing in the George Cole comedy, Dad. He was the subject of This Is Your Life, hosted by Michael Aspel, in 1989, and was the narrator of The Rocky Horror Show on tour in the early 90s.

Barry also appeared in sitcom The House Of Windsor and starred with Bernard Cribbins in David Tennant's final Doctor Who episodes in 2009. He died in 2016 at the age of 78.

Spike Dixon - Jeffrey Holland

Camp comic Spike came as a double-act alongside camp host Ted Bovis. Like many other cast members, when Hi-de-Hi! ended, he joined You Rang M'Lord and also appeared in The Russ Abbott Show, Oh! Doctor Beeching and Coronation Street - as Clive Drinkwater.

Actor Jeffrey appeared in comedy-drama The National Union of Space People in 2016 and was last seen on our screens in the sitcom Simply Ken, in 2021.

Clive Dempster - David Griffin

It was all change come 1960 at Maplins, as this aristocratic war hero replaced Jeffrey Fairbrother as entertainment manager. The squadron leader and maverick ladies' man was the polar opposite of the shy Jeffrey.

When his time at the camp ended, actor David enjoyed a four-year stint as Emmet Hawksworth in 90s hit comedy Keeping Up Appearances, with Patricia Routledge. He also appeared in what was then known as Emmerdale Farm, Doctor Who and 'Allo 'Allo.

Sylvia Garnsey - Nikki Kelly

Glamorous Yellowcoat Sylvia was a long-serving member at the camp, appearing in all nine series. Post Hi-de-Hi!, actress Nikki appeared in sitcom The Upper Hand and panel game show As Seen On TV.

She went on to star as the Wicked Queen Griselda in panto Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, reprising the role many times. She also appeared as the Evil Queen or Fairy Caboose in numerous versions of Sleeping Beauty, as well as the Wicked Witch in a panto version of The Wizard of Oz.

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