Super Gran star Gudrun Ure dies
The Scottish actress who starred in the kids TV show has died aged 98
Last updated 15th May 2024
Gudrun Ure, who starred in the 1980s children's show Super Gran has died aged 98.
She became a household name bringing the character of Granny Smith, created by author Forrest Wilson, to the small screen.
Gudrun Ure was born on 12 March 1926 in the Campsie area and during a long career appeared in a number of stage productions, radio plays and other TV shows.
In 1951 she starred opposite Orson Welles in a stage version of Shakespeare's Othello, directed by the Hollywood icon.
Two years later she appeared in the British noir movie '36 Hours' (released as Terror Street in the USA) alongside Dan Duryea.
Super Gran
Ure was 59 when she landed her most famous role as the elderly Scottish granny, who gets special powers when she is accidentally hit by a magic ray created by Inventor Black.
Accompanied by her grandson, Willard, Super Gran protects the residents of the fictional town of Chiselton from villains such as James Jennings, Eastie and Roderick 'Scunner' Campbell, played by Iain Cuthbertson.
The ITV show ran from 1985 through to 1987.
TV fame
Although the character of Granny Smith was Scottish, fond of porridge and dressed in a trademark tartan ‘tammie’ hat, the series was filmed on location across the North East of England, having been made by Tyne Tees TV.
The theme song was performed by Billy Connolly. The full version was released as a single in March 1985 and reached number 32 in the UK singles chart.
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