Elizabeth Kelly

Elizabeth Hutton Trower (; 29 May 1921 – 31 December 2025) was an English actress. With a career spanning four decades in television and film, she was best known for portraying Nellie Ellis in the BBC soap opera EastEnders between 1993 and 1998, and again for a guest appearance in 2000.

Early life Elizabeth Hutton Kelly was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, on 29 May 1921, the daughter of Albert Edward Kelly (1889–1967), a shop keeper, and his wife, Elizabeth (née Tulip; 1890–1987), a housewife.

Career Kelly began her acting career in the late 1960s. She played Edie Burgess in the ITV soap opera Coronation Street in 1971 and went on to portray various roles in several televised drama series including The Bill, Boon, Spender, and Where the Heart Is, as well as the television film Cider with Rosie among others.

In 1993, Kelly joined the cast of the BBC soap opera EastEnders as Nellie Ellis, the interfering relative of Pauline Fowler, portraying the role until 1998, before returning briefly in 2000 for the funeral of Ethel Skinner (Gretchen Franklin). After leaving EastEnders, Kelly appeared in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale as Edith Weatherall in 2002, as well as appearing in episodes of The Inspector Lynley Mysteries, Steel River Blues and Heartbeat. Her final acting role was in The Royal in 2007.

Personal life and death In June 1943, she married businessman Peter Trower. Together they had two children, a son and a daughter. Kelly had several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Kelly celebrated her 100th birthday in May 2021, and died of old age on 31 December 2025 at a care home in Scarborough, North Yorkshire, aged 104. Her death was announced to the public on 4 February 2026. Her funeral service took place at St Peter's Church, Scarborough on 17 February, followed by a private burial.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1980 The Savage Hunt Lesly's Mother 1988 Without a Clue Landlady 1993 The Making of '...And God Spoke' Julie 2002 24 Hour Party People Ian's Gran Sources:

Television Year Title Role Notes 1967 Magical Mystery Tour Passenger on the Bus Television film. Uncredited role 1968 City '68 Mrs. Burton Episode: "In Memoriam" The War of Darkie Pilbeam Nurse Episode: "Phase III: August 1945" 1969 Coronation Street Spokeswoman 1 episode 1970 A Family at War Woman in Shelter Episode: "If It's Got Your Number on It" The Sinners Mrs. Whalan Episode: "Dividends" 1971 Coronation Street Edie Burgess 2 episodes A Family at War Superintendent Episode: "The Fundamental Things Apply" 1972 Home and Away Gertie Episode: "The Cold Wind Doth Blow" Holly Mrs. Elliot 1 episode 1973 Shabby Tiger Brewer Episode: "Strawberries and Champagne" 1977 When the Boat Comes In Shopper Episode: "Letters from Afar" 1984 How We Used to Live Emily Holroyd 4 episodes: "1902–1926" Miracles Take Longer Mrs. Potter 2 episodes 1987 Grange Hill Mrs. Hoskins 1 episode How We Used to Live Charlotte Selby Episode: "1954–1970: Easter Holiday (1958)" The Gemini Factor Woman in Cafe Episode: "Mirror Image" 1988 American Playhouse Mary 3 episodes: "Strange Interlude: Parts 1–3" The Bill Mrs. Paynter Episode: "Getting Stressed" 1992 Motormouth Mabel Church 1 episode Resnick: Lonely Hearts Olive Peters 2 episodes Covington Cross Mother Cecilia Episode: "Outlaws" Boon Lucy Keel Episode: "Blackballed" 1993 Spender Elderly Lady Episode: "Bad Company" What's Up Doc? Mrs. Sally Anderson 1 episode The Detectives Mrs. Connors Episode: "Go West Old Man" 1993–1998, 2000 EastEnders Nellie Ellis Series regular; 138 episodes 1995 That's Showbusiness Herself - Panellist 1 episode 1998 Heartbeat Ethel Simcox Episode: "For Better or Worse" Cider with Rosie Miss. Pimbury Television film 1999 Tilly Trotter Annie Trotter Mini-series; 2 episodes Where the Heart Is Maggie Episode: "Not My Brother" 2001 The Bill Mrs. Predota Episode: "Greed" 2002 Rescue Me Nan 4 episodes The Inspector Lynley Mysteries Mrs. G Episode: "For the Sake of Elena" 2002, 2005 Emmerdale Edith Weatherall Recurring role; 3 episodes 2004 Steel River Blues Mrs. Hodge Episode: "Bloody Fridays" Heartbeat Mrs. Fry Episode: "Fakers and Frauds" 2007 The Royal Edith Taylor Episode: "Can't Buy Me Love" Sources:

Radio Year Title Role Notes 1990 You Only Live Twice: The Radio Play (voice) BBC Radio 4 play; also online and video Sources: