Iola Gregory

Eirian Iola Gregory (15 September 1946 – 21 November 2017) was a Welsh actress. She was best known for her role as Jean McGurk in the long-running S4C soap series Pobol y Cwm.[1]

Iola Gregory
Born(1946-09-15)15 September 1946
Hammersmith, England
Died21 November 2017(2017-11-21) (aged 71)
Llandwrog, Wales
OccupationActress
Years active1977–2017
Known forJean McGurk in Pobol y Cwm
Spouse(s)
​
​
(m. after 1977, divorced)​
Partner(s)Gerallt Lloyd Owen (d. 2014)
Children2; Angharad and Rhian

Early life

Gregory's mother, Millicent "Millie" Gregory, was a Welsh language campaigner for the Welsh Language Society who died of a heart attack. Her father, Oliver Gregory, was manager of National Westminster Bank in Aberystwyth.[2]

Career

Gregory started acting professionally in the 1970s. In 1977, she co-founded Theatr Bara Caws, a community theatre in Caernarfon.[1] She began starring in S4C's Pobol y Cwm as Jean McGurk in a recurring role in 1987. She left the series in 1997, but made further appearances as the character in 1999 and 2002.[3] She was later cast in the S4C programmes Rownd a Rownd and Porthpenwaig.[4]

Gregory also had roles in the Welsh-language films Coming Up Roses (1986), Dal: Yma/Nawr (2003).[5]

Personal life and death

Gregory was married to Welsh actor Robert Blythe until their separation. The couple had two daughters, Angharad Elen and Rhian Alaw. Angharad is a writer and television producer, and Rhian also became an actress.[5] She later in a relationship with poet Gerallt Lloyd Owen, and remained together until his death in July 2014.[6]

Gregory died with her daughters by her side on 21 November 2017 in Llandwrog, at the age of 71.[1][3][7]

References
  1. "Yr actores Iola Gregory wedi marw yn 71 oed" (in Welsh). BBC. 22 November 2017. Retrieved 26 November 2017.
  2. "Death of a leading language supporter". Ceredigion County Council. Retrieved 26 November 2017.
  3. Wyn-Williams, Gareth (21 November 2017). "'One of the great names of Welsh drama' Tributes to Iola Gregory". Daily Post. Retrieved 26 November 2017.
  4. "S4C pays tribute to actor Iola Gregory". S4C. 21 November 2017. Retrieved 27 November 2017.
  5. Thomas, Huw (21 November 2017). "Iola Gregory: Pobol y Cwm actress dies aged 71". BBC. Retrieved 26 November 2017.
  6. Stephens, Meric (11 August 2014). "Gerallt Lloyd Owen: Renowned Welsh poet". The Independent. Retrieved 26 November 2017.
  7. "IOLA GREGORY : Obituary". bmdsonline.co.uk (in Welsh). Western Mail. 25 November 2017. Retrieved 26 November 2017.
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