Soldier Soldier star dies aged 61 as devastated colleagues pay tribute to ‘truest actor & good friend'
SOLDIER Soldier star Marise Wipani has died suddenly aged 61.
The actress - who also appeared in Xena: Warrior Princess and Shortland Street, and was a former Miss New Zealand - passed away on her birthday on Friday (June 6).
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A post on her Facebook page said: "Marise passed peacefully today on her 61st birthday surrounded by family and friends.
"She just wanted to say....I have shuffled off this mortal coil. Good byyye, good luuuck, good God!!! Quote from Driving Miss Daisy."
A cause of death was not revealed.
Wipani played Ellie in season three of ITV drama Soldier, Soldier, which broadcast in 1993.
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At its peak, the show saw an average viewership of 16.1 million, which coincided with Wipani's time in the cast.
The programme - created by Lucy Gannon - followed the daily lives of a group of soldiers in 'A' Company, 1st Battalion The King's Fusiliers, and also featured Robson Green and Jerome Flynn, running from 1991 to 1997.
Co-star Jay Laga'aia, who played Sgt. Bob Gilligan, was among those to pay tribute to Wipani, writing: "I saw this and quickly checked that it wasn't some kind of sick joke.
"Sister I am devastated to hear this news. You are so young and I will miss you. We have worked together over the years and I was always so pleased to have you on set. Travel well my sister, love you always."
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Marise Wipani played Ellie on ITV drama Soldier, Soldier
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Speaking about her Loose Women future, Sue said: "Nobody knows what's happening in TV, I'm just getting on with what I'm doing in my life and I'm just enjoying it. "I've had a great time on it, I've had a great ride, I don't know what will happen in the future - I don't know what's going to happen tomorrow or the next hour." 7 Sue has hit back at rumours that the Loose Women panel is feuding Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Advertisement 7 The actress revealed the moment she knew she wanted to leave the soap Credit: ITV 7 Sue said she now has the 'freedom' to work on passion projects after over two decades on the soap Credit: Getty
