Tributes to TV veteran who was ‘national treasure’

John, a widow with no children, had a lengthy career that included appearances in the long-running Welsh series High Hopes and the forthcoming HBO show Game Of Thrones.

Her Gavin And Stacey co-star James Corden paid tribute to her on Twitter, writing: “All my thoughts are with the family of Margaret John who played Doris in G and S. A great actress and an incredible lady. She will be missed x.”

BBC Cymru Wales director Menna Richards said John was “a true Welsh national treasure”.

Her agent Gemma McAvoy said the Swansea-born star died in the early hours of yesterday in a hospital in the city after suffering a short illness.

She said: “Her career spanned 60 years and she did everything from film to television, radio and some amazing theatre roles.

“She used to say how she started playing lots of tragic roles and it was only later people recognised her great sense of humour.

“She had the most infectious love of life and an incredible sense of humour, and that is why people felt so warmly towards her.”

She added: “After appearing in many of the dramas that defined British television, including Doctor Who and Z-Cars, she found a whole new army of viewers with Gavin And Stacey and the hugely popular BBC Cymru Wales comedy High Hopes.

“Margaret was a cornerstone of the television and radio industry in Wales – she was a founder cast member of the BBC Radio Wales soap Station Road and appeared in many radio dramas.”