Hi-De-Hi and Crossroads actress Diane Holland passes away

Diane Holland, best known for her role of Yvonne in the 1980s comedy series Hi-De-Hi, has passed away at the age of 78.

Actress Diane Holland has passed away at the age of 78. The actress is probably best remembered for her role in the 1980s comedy series Hi-He-Hi. In the popular comedy, set in a 1950s holiday site, she played condescending and snobby dance instructor Yvonne Stewart-Hardgreaves. Her character had once been a ballroom dancing champion but was reduced to working at the Maplins holiday camp which was the source of many a joke within the series.

As well as comedy roles the actress also appeared in more serious parts and in the 1960s she was a regular in the ATV soap Crossroads. Holland played Sarah Maynard in the teatime saga which became highly loved by viewers, although was less popular with TV critics. Diane played one of the core characters in the soap for seven years between 1965 and 1972. Other roles include a guest appearance in the Anglia series Tales of the Unexpected, historical drama Poldark and Jersey based drama Bergerac.

Other comedy roles included guest appearances in Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em, Sykes and Grace and Favour. The actress appeared in a 2001 episode of BBC drama Casualty where she played terminally ill patient Wendy Atkinson, the episode won much praise from critics.

The actress passed away on 24th January and had been suffering from bronchial pneumonia. Her agent, Bo Keller, described the actress as “extremely kind hearted” and “had a very dry sense of humour”.

Hi-De-Hi, set in the fictional Maplins Holiday Camp, first aired on BBC One in 1980, running until 1988. Diane appeared in all the episodes across the seven series, she played opposite for most of the shows run comedy actor Barry Howard as husband and dance partner Barry Stewart Hargreaves. Other cast included Paul Shane, the late Simon Cadell and Ruth Madoc.