Beloved Home and Away veteran Sheila Kennelly dies at age 88: 'She was a bright star'

Veteran Australian actress Sheila Kennelly died on Monday, aged 88, at her home in New South Wales.

The beloved actress was one of the original Home and Away stars, appearing on the Channel Seven drama series from its pilot episode in 1988 as Floss McPhee.

She was 50 years old when the show premiered and appeared on it throughout its first year, opposite veteran actors Ray Meagher and Kate Ritchie. 

However, she left the show in 1989 following a reformatting by the producers, who wanted to focus on the younger cast.

She later reprised her role from 2000 to 2008, after a decade off the show working on other productions. 

Her death was confirmed on social media by TV historian Andrew Mercado.

'Darling Sheila Kennelly has died the way she always wanted, "falling off the twig", as she would say, on her beloved farm in the Hunter Valley,' Mercado began. 

'She was surrounded by her dogs and dear family who looked after her so lovingly in her final days. 

'Sheila starred as several iconic characters in some of Aussie television's biggest shows.

'(They included) wig-wearing barmaid Norma Whittaker in Number 96 who called everyone Ducky, jolly Italian mother-in-law Rosa in Kingswood Country. 

'And Floss, the carnival worker in the caravan, from the original cast of Home and Away.' 

The British-born performer began her acting career in 1964 and appeared in some of Australia's most renowned productions.

This included stints on A Country Practice, All Saints, The Flying Doctors and Division 4.

She also appeared opposite Paul Hogan in the 1985 mini-series ANZACS. 

Heartbroken fans took to social media to pay tribute.

'She was incredible in her roles. RIP,' one person wrote.

'Absolutely devastating. I will always believe that her character of Floss is an underrated icon!' a second added.

'Sadly missed. She was a bright star,' a third chipped in.