Diane Shirley Maria Langton (31 May 1944 – 15 January 2025) was a British actress, singer and dancer whose career on stage and screen spanned six decades. After beginning her career in theatre, she went on to appear in television shows, portraying roles such as Kathy Roberts in The Rag Trade and June Snell in Only Fools and Horses, Ruby Rowan in Heartbeat and Bev Williams in EastEnders. Her most notable role, however, was her portrayal of Marlena "Nana" McQueen in the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, which she played sporadically between 2007 to 2009 and from 2012 until her death.

Early life Diane Shirley Maria Langton was born on 31 May 1944 in Cranmore, Somerset, and grew up in Fulham, London. She was the daughter of William Langton, a merchant seaman, and his wife Bridie (née Monahan). Langton began her career as a dancer with several ballet companies on European tours, and trained at the Corona Academy in Hammersmith.

Career Langton's first credited role was as a schoolgirl in the comedy film Carry On Teacher, she subsequently embarked on her career in theatre, starting with an appearance in the musical Hair in 1968. She played Private Alice Easy in the 1976 film Carry On England. She went on to appear in television shows throughout the 1970's, most notably her role in The Rag Trade as Kathy Roberts in 1975, and again from 1977 to 1978. She appeared in various West End musicals, including A Chorus Line, A Little Night Music, Chicago and Mary Poppins. In September 1979, Langton's debut solo single, "Climbin'", was released on vinyl via Pye Records. In 1982, she appeared in the Royal Variety Performance, performing a song from Show Boat.

Langton appeared in The Green Tie on the Little Yellow Dog, which was recorded in 1982, and broadcast by Channel 4 in 1983. Between 1985 and 1986, she appeared in Only Fools and Horses as June Snell, a former girlfriend of Del Boy. In 1987, she created the role of Angel in Kander & Ebb's The Rink at the Forum Theatre in Manchester, a role which she reprised in the 1988 West End transfer. She returned to the musical in 2004, at the Belgrade Theatre in Coventry, this time playing the role of Angel's mother, Anna. Her other notable television appearances included Alas Smith and Jones, Bergerac, Minder, Carry On Laughing and The Bill.

Between 1995 and 1997, Langton appeared in Heartbeat as Ruby Rowan, Nick Berry's character's mother, and as a prostitute in an episode of Joking Apart. Between 1998 and 1999, she appeared in EastEnders as Cindy Beale's (Michelle Collins) mother, Bev Williams. She also appeared in the London cast of Billy Elliot as Grandma and fronted her own one woman show Let There Be Langton. In 2007, she began portraying the role of Marlena "Nana" McQueen on the Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks, a role she played sporadically over the next seventeen years, making her final appearance on 30 December 2024.

Personal life and death Langton was married twice. Her first marriage to Alan Cooper in 1963, a painter and decorator, subsequently ended in divorce. Together they had a son, Jamie (born 1964). In 1976, Langton married Derek James, whom she met whilst performing in a national tour of the musical Hair. Langton lived in East Hampshire, near the village of Bordon.

Langton died from kidney disease on 15 January 2025, at the age of 80. Tributes were paid to her from the Hollyoaks social media accounts who described Langton as an "immense talent" who would be "[missed] enormously" by the show's cast and crew. Several of her co-stars also paid tribute including Chelsee Healey, Anna Passey, and James Sutton, the latter of whom said his "heart was broken" and thanked Langton for her "love, kindness, generosity, warmth, friendship, humour and care".

Filmography Television and film Year Title Role Notes 1959 Carry On Teacher Schoolgirl Film; uncredited 1974 Don't Just Lie There, Say Something! Angie Film 1974 Percy's Progress Maureen Sugden Film 1975 Carry On Laughing Tzana; Griselda; Isolde 3 episodes 1975 Eskimo Nell Gladys Armitage Film 1975 Confessions of a Pop Performer Ruby Climax Film 1975, 1977–1978 The Rag Trade Kathy Main role 1976 Trial by Combat Ruby Film 1976 Carry On England Private Alice Easy Film 1979 She Loves Me Ilona Ritter Television film 1981 The End of the End of the Pier Show Mrs. Channing Television film 1982 Minder Rita Episode: "In" 1985–1986 Only Fools and Horses June Snell Episodes: "Happy Returns" and "A Royal Flush" 1987 Alas Smith and Jones Mum Episode: "The Homemade Xmas Video" 1989 Streets Apart Rene 4 episodes 1989 The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover May Fitch Film 1990 Bergerac Dawn Gray Episode: "All the Sad Songs" 1990–1991 The Les Dennis Laughter Show Unknown 3 episodes 1990 Boon Sylvia Clayborough Episode: "Rival Eyes" 1991 Tonight at 8.30 Beryl Waters Episode: "Still Life" 1993 The Bill Marion Draper Episode: "Having What It Takes" 1995 Joking Apart Prostitute Episode #2.3 1995–1997 Heartbeat Ruby Rowan 6 episodes 1995–1996 How to Be a Little Sod Grandmother 7 episodes 1998–1999 EastEnders Bev Williams Recurring role 2000 Lexx Hammer Episode: "Girltown" 2001 Holby City Nina Cocozza Episode: "New Beginnings" 2003, 2008 Doctors Josie Rogers / Cynthia Albury 2 episodes 2004 The Final Quest Marian Snr Television film 2007–2009, 2012–2024 Hollyoaks Marlena "Nana" McQueen Regular role 2009 Ashes to Ashes Julia Episode #2.1 2020 Hollyoaks Later Marlena "Nana" McQueen 2020 special Sources:

Stage Year Title Role Venue 1968–1973 Hair Shaftesbury Theatre 1972 Jesus Christ Superstar Ensemble 1973–1974 Pippin Fastrada His Majesty's Theatre, London 1973 Two Gentlemen of Verona Ensemble 1975–1976 A Little Night Music Petra Adelphi Theatre 1976 A Chorus Line Diana Theatre Royal, Drury Lane 1976 T.Zee Princess La Royal Court Theatre 1978 She Loves Me Ilona Ritter 1979–1980 Songbook Performer Gielgud Theatre 1980 I'm Getting My Act Together and Taking It on the Road Heather Jones Apollo Theatre 1981–1983 Windy City Molly Malloy* Bristol HippodromeVictoria Palace Theatre 1984–1987 Stepping Out Sylvia 1986 Side by Side by Sondheim Performer 1988 The Rink Angel Cambridge Theatre 1988 Sunday with Sondheim Herself Shaftesbury Theatre 1992–1993 The Comedy of Errors Courtesan Various 1994 Johnny On a Spot Pearl LaMonte Royal National Theatre 1994 Sweet Bird of Youth Miss Lucy Royal National Theatre 1996 Cats Grizabella Various 1997 Steaming Violet Piccadilly Theatre 1998 Chicago Matron "Mama" Morton 2002 Follies Carlotta Campion Royal Festival Hall 2004 The Rink Anna Belgrade Theatre 2010–2011 Billy Elliot Grandma Sources:

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