Bread actress Jean Boht dies aged 91

Actress Jean Boht has died at the age of 91.

She was best known for her role as Nellie Boswell in the hit BBC sitcom Bread.

She also appeared in shows such as Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em, Last of the Summer Wine, Brighton Belles, Doctors, Grange Hill, Juliet Bravo, and Boys from the Blackstuff.

A statement from her family revealed that she was battling dementia prior to her death.

“It is with overwhelming sadness that we must announce that Jean Boht passed away yesterday Tuesday 12 September.

“Jean had been battling vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease with the indefatigable spirit for which she was both beloved and renowned.

“She was a resident at Denville Hall, the home for members of the theatrical profession.”

Despite a long and varied career, which began in 1962, she was best known for her role in Carla Lane’s Bread, about the Catholic Boswell family of Liverpool.

Running from 1986 to 1991, the show was watched by more than 20 million people at its peak and Boht won a British Comedy Award for Best TV Comedy Actress.

Boht was married to the award-winning composer Carl Davis, who died last month. The couple had two children and three grandchildren.