Lots of lovely tweets from co-stars.

 

http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/emmerdale/news/a776600/emmerdale-stars-pay-tribute-to-dear-friend-shirley-stelfox-following-the-actresss-death/

So sad and upset to hear about Shirley Stelfox. I’d wondered why we hadn’t seen much of Edna in recent months.

Shirley was an incredible actress - anyone who saw her in Keeping Up Appearances as Hyacinth’s trashy sister and then on Emmerdale as pious Edna can tell you that. She was also on Brookside, Eastenders, Corrie - you name it.

I was just watching an episode yesterday from 2001, where Edna got drunk without realizing it, and she was just so believable - her head motions, her reactions, the slight slur of her words. No broadness or playing it up too much for attention. She was perfect. 

She was always perfect. And that’s why Edna went from being a one-note harridan, a perma-scold, to being the core of the community, a truly kind and loving woman. 

Just a few months ago I remember Val’s funeral where she was shocked at the male strippers, and disappointed at Pearl for clearly enjoying the display. And it just made me laugh so much, because it was so rightly pitched.

There was so much I loved about watching Edna - her harsh judgment mixed with her sense of fairness. Her complicated relationships with characters like Aaron and her sister Lily (the wonderful Anne Charleston). Her grudging fondness for Sandy, a man she absolutely loathed upon first meeting him. Her tenderness with Pearl even after Pearl harshly rejected her following the death of Pearl’s partner Len (who’d always loved Edna). 

Older actors and actresses on soaps rarely get their due. They are belittled as just being there because of past glories, or not contributing because they aren’t the lead in the shooting or fire or brawl of the month. But these actors are the backbone of their shows. They represent continuity, history, and most of all, heart.

She gave so much to Emmerdale, and to us. I hope that Edna, and Shirley, will receive the proper goodbye they deserve.

I completely agree with every word.

So very surprised at this horrible turn of events. Edna was one of the characters that made Emmerdale special. Shirley Stelfox was one of those actresses that truly transitioned into her characters completely. A devastating loss.

DRW50 Such beautiful sentiments.  She was fantastic and I'm sorry that she left us so soon.

This is the full version. The last bit makes me smile. I'm sure going to miss her.

 

I hope they go all out in addressing Edna's exit. The character and actress both deserve it. 

Kate Oates said she'd return to help the new producer with the goodbye if they want her to. I guess we'll see. 

 

I'm not really going to expect much and then I'll be pleasantly surprised. Alan's was decent (mostly because they brought back my old favorite Steph, which many producers would have never done). I hope they will do it right...and ideally, not make it a sh1t show like poor Betty's goodbye on Corrie. Shameful.

Well the new producer needs to take Kate up on her offer. I don't want her exit to be screwed up on. 

 

Gosh, I love Kate Oates. You can genuinely feel that she loves this genre. I just hate they moved her from Emmerdale but I do hope she works wonders for Coronation Street. 

She certainly has her work cut out for her.

 

I think she'd run into a rut at Emmerdale this year, but I do think she did a lot of good for the show, likely in spite of ITV's interference. I just hope the new guy doesn't ruin it.

She does have her work cut out for her. Especially with all the little rumblings and rumors in the past about drama and egos at Corrie. I hope she cleans house though. Corrie has a lot a deadweight that needs to be dropped. 

 

I hope the new EP maintains what Kate built but I get this feeling it all might come crashing down. I get nervous when new EPs (especially those from Hollyoaks) take reigns at one of the 3 main soaps. I feel like HO is a different beast from the other shows but they try fitting the older shows into the HO mold. Like Kirkwood tried doing EE. 

 

My husband is so damn fine and has a great personality. 

In your dreams Kenya Moore....

In your dreams Kenya Moore....