Diane Langton dies aged 77: Only Fools and Horses fame to Hollyoaks' Nana McQueen

Diane Langton has died aged 77. The actress enjoyed a showbiz career spanning several decades and was best known for roles on Hollyoaks and Only Fools and Horses.

Shane Collins, her agent, announced the news of the star's death on Wednesday (January 15) with a statement confirming: "I am sad to say that Diane Langton passed away this morning."

Adding a comment about Diane's incredible career, which began in the 1950s, her agent continued: "Diane had a rich and remarkable career appearing on Stage, in Films, and on television, including playing the iconic Nana Mqueen in Hollyoaks from 2007 to the present day.

"Diane trained at the Corona Academy and started her professional career as a dancer, touring with ballet companies throughout Europe, followed by appearances on That Was the Week That Was and The London Palladium."

Diane once had an iconic role in the BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses. The beloved show aired from 1981 to 2003, featuring David Jason as Derek 'Del Boy' Trotter who had numerous romantic partners before finally settling down with Raquel Turner, played by Tessa Peake-Jones.

One of these past relationships was with June Snell, an ex-girlfriend who reappeared in Del's life during the 1985 episode titled Happy Returns. In this episode, Rodney Trotter, portrayed by Nicholas Lyndhurst, develops a crush on a local newsagent worker named Debbie.

In a surprising turn of events, Del Boy rescues a young boy from being hit by a car, only to later find out that the boy had run away from home after getting into trouble for deflating the tyres on the Trotters' Reliant Robin. Attempting to help the boy, Del takes him home and is surprised to discover that the boy's mother is his former girlfriend, June Snell, who is played by Diane Langton.

When he learns that June has a 19 year old daughter named Debbie, Del mistakenly assumes that he must be her father and warns Rodney to keep his distance, thinking they might be related. However, it is revealed that Debbie's actual father is Albie Littlewood, one of Del's old friends who tragically died after taking a shortcut across a railway line. Following this revelation, Del and June go their separate ways once more, reports the Mirror.

However, in the 1986 Christmas special A Royal Flush, June makes a brilliant return. As Rodney tries to charm Lady Victoria Marsham Hales (Sarah Duncan), Del unexpectedly turns up at the opera with June on his arm.

Del and June were seen behaving rather immaturely, causing disruptions during the performances and annoying other members of the audience. This marked the last time June Snell appeared on Only Fools and Horses, but Diane was was no newcomer to television, having starred in the Carry On films.

She also featured in a host of other popular TV shows over the years, including Heartbeat, EastEnders, Holby City, The Bill, Bergerac, Minder, Streets Apart, Doctors, Ashes to Ashes, and many more.

Despite the passage of time since her Only Fools stint, the actress continued to be as entertaining and glamorous as she was in the '80s.

Hollyoaks fans will recognise Diane as Nana McQueen, a character she had played on and off since 2007. Her soap character was feisty and always had a scheme or two in the works.

During her tenure on the Channel 4 soap, Nana has committed insurance fraud by burgling her own home, made moves on her granddaughter's boyfriend, and is generally outrageous.

Yet, beneath her faux lashes and colourful wardrobe, Nana possessed a heart of gold. Diane is undeniably a Hollyoaks stalwart, infusing her role with the same joy and entertainment she brought to her portrayal of June Snell in Only Fools years ago.