Gwyneth Guthrie dead: Take The High Road legend Mrs Mack dies aged 84 as tributes are paid

Legendary soap actress Guthrie has sadly died at the age of 84 after spending over two decades playing busybody Mrs Mack in Take The High Road

Gwyneth Guthrie has died at the age of 84, passing away peacefully and surrounded by loved ones.

The Scottish soap actress was best known for playing busybody Mrs Mack in Take The High Road for 20 years.

Her passing was announced by her family, in a statement which read: "“It is with a heavy heart we announce the passing of our amazing mum, Gwyneth Guthrie.

"She passed peacefully on Tuesday, November 9, at home and surrounded by her loving family.

"She will be playing to her next audience in heaven."

Gwyneth was originally from Ayr, where her dad Jim was a bank manager. Mum Enid and sister Anne completed the family.

It is believed that Gwyneth showed signs of getting the showbiz bug from an early age and was often compared to her grandmother, who was Sarah Siddons and an 18th century actress.

Gwyneth went to the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and from there, set off on a successful radio and stage career across Scotland.

This led to her landing the role that made her name, when she was cast as Mrs Mack in Take The High Road, in 1983.

The formidable character on screen became a favourite with royalty and Gwyneth spoke of the time that she had to return from a holiday early, so that could have an audience with the Queen Mother at STV’s studios in 2001.

Speaking at the time, Gwyneth said: "I was away on summer holiday when I was told that The Queen had personally requested to meet me.

"She was touring STV studios and told me her mother spent more time in Scotland than she did and that she always watched High Road.

“The Queen also told me that they would watch it together."

Gwyneth also had a brush with Hollywood in 1998 when she starred with Charlie Sheen in Post Mortem, which was filmed in Glasgow.

Unfortunately, it didn't propel her to Tinsel Town but this did not worry Gwyneth, as she took pride in being Mrs Mack.

Speaking about the character, she said in 2018: "It was funny to think this old battle-axe was so adored by everyone — even royalty."

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