Kay Purcell death: Tracy Beaker and Waterloo Road star dies age 57

Actor played Gina Conway on long-running CBBC sitcom and also starred in Emmerdale

Kay Purcell, the actor best known for her roles in Tracy Beaker Returns and Waterloo Road, has died at the age of 57, her agent has confirmed.

Purcell portrayed Gina Conway, a care worker at “The Dumping Ground”, the nickname given to the foster home lived in by Tracy Beaker (Dani Harmer) in the long-running sitcom. She also portrayed Candice Smilie in three series of Waterloo Road, and starred as Cynthia Daggert in Emmerdale from 2001 until 2002.

“Kay was a very valued client who had been represented by David Daly Associates for many years,” her agent tweeted. “We send sympathy and love to her family and friends.”

Harmer led tributes to Purcell on Twitter, simply tweeting a “heartbreak” emoji.

Purcell documented her battle with cancer on her Facebook page, announcing in early December that she had been diagnosed with “inoperable cancer to the liver”.

“With treatment, I have up to two years left to enjoy my time with my family and friends,” Purcell wrote. “So from now on I’m going to live my life to the fullest, spending every day living the best of my life I can. I don’t have a bucket list but, I’M CERTAINLY NOT GIVING UP!!!”

She also used the message to thank her friends and family.

“My journey has seen me achieve some amazing things, my proudest achievement has to be my three amazing children,” Purcell wrote. “Ashley, Shemar and Indika and also my Beautiful grandson Levon. I have also been Blessed with some of the best family and friends anyone could ask for, I would like to thank you for all the years of love and support you have given me.”

Kay Purcell in Tracy Beaker Returns (BBC)

On Twitter, many of Purcell’s fans celebrated her work.

“Actually devastated to find out Kay Purcell has died,” one person wrote. “I recently did a rewatch of Tracy Beaker Returns and it’s safe to say Gina was one of the best characters on it.”

Another added: “I grew up watching Kay Purcell first on Waterloo Road and then Tracy Beaker Returns ... absolute icon. She brought so much joy to so many and will always represent better times.”