Original Home and Away star Sheila Kennelly dies, aged 88

Home and Away star Sheila Kennelly has died at the age of 88. The veteran actor passed away yesterday at her home in New South Wales, Australia.

Kennelly was part of Home and Away's original cast, playing retired pensioner and former carnival worker Floss McPhee from the pilot episode in 1988. She was written out of the Aussie soap in 1989, when producers decided to focus on the younger characters.

Kennelly starred in a number of TV shows and theatre productions prior to and after her stint on Home and Away, with a career spanning over 50 years. She later reprised her role as Floss from 2000 to 2008.

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Her death was confirmed on social media by TV historian Andrew Mercado, who shared a touching tribute.

"Darling Sheila Kennelly has died the way she always wanted, 'falling off the twig', as she would say, on her beloved farm in the Hunter Valley," read the Instagram post.

"She was surrounded by her dogs and dear family who looked after her so lovingly in her final days.

"Sheila starred as several iconic characters in some of Aussie television's biggest shows, including wig-wearing barmaid Norma Whittaker in Number 96 who called everyone 'ducky', jolly Italian mother-in-law Rosa in Kingswood Country, and Floss, the carnival worker in the caravan from the original cast of Home and Away."

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The comment section was filled with tributes to the star, with fans sharing heartfelt anecdotes and memories.

"I'm rewatching number 96 at the moment. Sheila had such a lovely, natural screen presence and great chemistry with Gordon. Her passing is sad news."

"I remember her playing Floss in Home and Away as well as Rosa from Kingswood Country. She was such a versatile actress as well as a really good one too," a second said, with a third adding: "Vale Sheila. Thanks for the memories."

"I always thought she had a lovely happy face," a fourth wrote.