SHOCK: The family of EastEnders legend, who played Terry Bates on the long-running BBC soap, speak out angrily after an EastEnders actor attended their father’s funeral and allegedly made a deeply offensive remark: “She should get out of showbiz.”
BBC EastEnders legend Nicholas Ball died penniless and left nothing to his wife according to legal documents. The 78-year-old soap star passed away last year following a short health battle.
The late actor was best known for playing Terry Bates in the BBC soap and also had roles in Footballers’ Wives and Hazell. However, legal records show that Ball, of Porchester Square, London left behind no will or anything in his estate.
A High Court document shows administration of the estate was granted to his wife Ayda. It reads: “The application has stated that the gross value of the estate in the United Kingdom amounts to £0 and the net value amounts to £0.”
The couple tied the knot in 2019 after they had been together for over 20 years, as reported by NeedToKnow.
Ball played gang lord Terry Bates in the BBC show(Image: BBC)
Ayda revealed Nicholas’ death last year in a statement that read: “It is with the heaviest and broken of hearts, that I share the loss of my beloved Nicky-Nicholas Ball.”
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Ball was previously married to actress and psychologist Pamela Stephenson from 1978 to 1984. She left him for Scots comedian Billy Connolly, who she is still with to this day, The Sun reports.
Ball had a long acting career but reportedly struggled for parts after private eye series Hazell ended.
He starred in various television series in supporting roles such as Z-Cars, Softly Softly: Task Force, The Young Ones, Bergerac, Tales of the Unexpected, Casualty and Holby City.
Director Keith English paid tribute to him after his death, saying: “Fabulous as star of hit TV show ‘Hazell’ in the 1980s, Nick was a terrific actor – kind and generous.
“He starred in our short short ‘Top Dog’ in 2001 in which he was great and we became life-long friends with him and his wife, Ayda Kay.
“Indeed, we were honoured when the pair of them asked if they could be married in our garden in 2019.
“A fabulous affair. One of our fondest memories was going to see Jerry Goldsmith play The Royal Albert Hall with him and his great friend Mel Smith.
“Mel had hired a box for the show.
“Both men were known hell-raisers and, sure enough, when the four of us rolled up they were both fairly merry and proceeded to football-chant ‘There’s only one Jerry Goldsmith!’ between musical pieces to an uneven response from the rest of the auditorium.
“Nick was a loving husband, friend and a wonderful actor.
“We enjoyed every minute of his company. Farewell and bon voyage.”