Nearest and Dearest was a massive hit several decades ago, with Jimmy Jewel and Hylda Baker being the leading stars.

(Image: Getty)

Nearest and Dearest landed on ITV back in 1968 and starred the likes of Hylda Baker and Jimmy Jewel, who squabbled over their late father’s small pickle business in Lancashire, named Pledge’s Purer Pickles. The sitcom, which ran for more than 40 episodes, was written by Vince Powell and Harry Driver, who had known Jimmy since the 1950s. The show, which proved to be a huge success thanks to its stellar cast and writers, ended in February 1973, with the final episode being called “Far from the Madding Pong.” Here, we take a look back at the cast’s tragic deaths and the fate of one main character, who died penniless.

Hylda Baker

Hylda, who starred as Nellie Pledge in Nearest and Dearest from 1968 until 1973, sadly passed away penniless despite years of fame. She made her acting debut at just 10 years old, before going on to star in the hit ITV sitcom Nearest and Dearest. The star got married to her husband Ben Pearson in 1929, but the marriage broke down when she suffered two ectopic pregnancies, and she was divorced by 1933.

Life continued to be hard for the actress when she was hit by a car in 1961 and awarded £4,000 in damages four years later. Then, in 1971, her chauffeur stole a total of £2,500 from her and was later arrested with £45 of the cash remaining in his possession.

In another tragic twist, the actress spent the final years of her life with dementia and financial hardship. She sadly died penniless in a nursing home in 1986 when she was 81 years old.

(Image: Getty)

Jimmy Jewel

The actor who portrayed Eli Pledge had a long career in theatre, radio, and television during his lifetime. He was the son of a comedian and actor who also used the name Jimmy Jewel. Initially, a young Jimmy had to go by the stage name Maurice Marsh before earning the other name back later on. He landed a role in Nearest and Dearest in the 1960s and went on to marry Belle Bullet, with whom he had an adopted daughter and son. The actor sadly died on December 3, 1995, the day before his 86th birthday. Jimmy died due to respiratory failure. His last television series, Funny Man, was based on his own life story and his family’s career in the music halls.

(Image: Getty)

Edward Malin

The star, who hails from Stoke Newington in London, was the first of the main cast to die, and he played Walter Tattersall in the BBC sitcom from 1969 to 1973. He sadly passed away on March 1, 1977, at King Edward’s Memorial Hospital in London, aged 82. Prior to his death, he lived at a retirement home in Middlesex for several years. According to various reports, he died peacefully in his sleep in the retirement home due to old age.

(Image: ITV)