Hollyoaks has paid tribute to legendary Nana McQueen star Diane Langton following her death at the age of 78.
The actress, known for her roles in Hollyoaks and Heartbeat, played Marlene ‘Nana’ McQueen for 18 years, becoming one of the Channel 4 soap’s most loved characters in the process.
Nana was last seen on our screens at Christmas time when she paid a visit to the village with daughter Myra (Nicole Barber-Lane) to see Mercedes (Jennifer Metcalfe) in the wake of her bowel cancer diagnosis.
The much-loved matriarch was at the centre of Tuesday’s (March 11) edition of the E4 serial, which can be streamed now on the broadcaster’s online service, which featured a heartfelt tribute to her.
The episode in question very much centred on the McQueen clan, who staged an intervention to save Mercedes after she confessed to the murder of Abe Fielding (Tyler Conti) in a bid to keep Cleo (Nadine Mulkerrin) out of prison.
Myra arrived back in the village to try make Mercy reconsider, with John Paul (James Sutton) adamant that Nana couldn’t lose another granddaughter.
Speaking of John Paul, the deputy head teacher subsequently got engaged to Jez (Jeremy Sheffield) and shortly afterwards he received a phone call from Nana, who could be heard celebrating his good news.
As the credits rolled on the instalment, a special post-credit sequence – the first since the show was reduced in length in September – paid tribute to the beloved cast member, with a number of images of the star as Nana in all her glitzy glory, doing what she does best in lighting up the screen.
The sequence was accompanied by a rendition of Somewhere Over The Rainbow and a few archival lines of dialogue from the lady herself.
‘I love living with you all,’ she could be heard saying, no doubt about her beloved McQueens. ‘I love this silly little village. I’ve had some of my best catfights out there. I love you sweetheart, I always will. Love Nana’.
The matriarch’s signature laugh could be heard as a touching message from the soap itself appeared on the screen, which read: ‘In loving memory of Diane Langton.’
‘Night night Di. Forever in our hearts’.
Replacing the usual final shot of The Dog in The Pond, Hollyoaks opted instead for a leopard print backdrop in tribute of Nana’s signature style.
Always on hand to offer advice to those who needed it the most, Nana’s heart of gold and kind demeanour proved pivotal in shaping the McQueens into the iconic clan they are today and, though her presence will be missed, her impact and legacy will live on.
Hollyoaks streams Mondays to Wednesdays from 7am on Channel 4’s streaming platform, or catch episodes on TV at 7pm on E4.
