One of Southport's most famous residents Jean Alexander has sadly died.

Jean Alexander, who played Coronation Street's Hilda Ogden and Auntie Wainwright in Last of the Summer Wine, has died aged 90.



Jean portrayed Hilda Ogden, a sharp-tongued, put-upon housewife who was one of Coronation Street's best known characters, from 1964 to 1987.

She appeared as shopkeeper Auntie Wainwright, the "absolute favourite part" of her career, for 22 years.

She died peacefully in hospital on Friday, her niece said.

Alexander had been admitted to Southport hospital for tests but was discharged after a couple of days and allowed to return to her nursing home, her niece Sonia Hearld said.

But on Tuesday she was readmitted to hospital, three days before her death.

"My aunt died sadly earlier today," Mrs Hearld, of Selby, North Yorkshire, said on Friday.

In 2005 a TV Times poll voted her the nation's favourite soap character.

Jean was a great supporter of local charities such as the Alzheimer's Society where she is pictured below.

Jean was also great supporter of Woodlands Animal Sanctuary.



RIP Jean Alexander.

Tributes from all aver the world.

I am sure Jean Alexander would giggle to see Hilda trending on twitter?, you were part of many lives and we took you to our hearts xx RIP.

— Dame Gracie Fields (@lmmother) 15 October 2016

RIP Jean Alexander, aka Hilda Ogden from Coronation Street. One of the greatest soap stars in British TV history. pic.twitter.com/lfKOj3l7zy

— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) 14 October 2016

Gutted to hear Hilda Ogden #Corrie has died. Best character ever.Met Jean Alexander many times..such a lovely,modest, unaffected lady.

— Gordon Burns (@mrgordonburns) October 14, 2016

Such a modest and pleasant lady when you met her locally around Churchtown.

Loved her character in Corrie.

will be sadly missed RIP

A wonderful lady, she will certainly be missed in Southport. Rest in peace dear lady.

We used to see her in town occasionally. She seemed a very private lady. I used to love Hilda's "Muriel" with the ducks and one of the ducks was always on a slant. She and "Stan" were one of the great double acts of British television.

Only had the pleasure of meeting her once at a Macmillan charity every, truly genuine lady. RIP

Jean was in the same rest home as my friend , having known of her association with the Soroptimists years ago we had a lovely chat about times past, very friendly but unassuming lady, i went in one day to find her reading a very thick hard backed book. she informed me it was Shakespeares works,

Rip