Former Coronation Street actress Melanie Hughes dies

  • A former Coronation Street actress and Miss Wales queen has died suddenly
  • The loss of Melanie Hughes, 39, has left her friends and family ‘devastated’
  • Her husband Rick has said she was a ‘wonderful spirit’ who will not be forgotten
  • She leaves behind two children, Kaden, 3, and her stepdaughter Taylor, 16

A heartbroken husband has paid an emotional tribute to his wife, a ‘wonderful spirit’ and former Coronation Street actress who died suddenly at the age of 39.

Melanie Hughes, a beauty pageant queen who won the Miss Wales title in 1997, died without warning on Sunday leaving her husband Rick, 49, and two children utterly ‘devastated’.  

Tributes have begun to pour out to remember the woman, who had also made appearances on television programmes like Coronation Street and Cold Feet.

She had been working at the energy conservation firm Kingspan in Greenfield for the last 15years.

Melanie Hughes, pictured left, with her husband Rick won the Miss Wales title in 1997 and went on to compete at the Miss International competition in Tokyo

Rick, pictured with Melanie Hughes has said the sudden death of his wife on Sunday has left their family 'devastated' and has released an emotional tribute

Rick, pictured with Melanie Hughes has said the sudden death of his wife on Sunday has left their family ‘devastated’ and has released an emotional tribute

Rick said: ‘Mel was a lovely soul, she was kind and gentle. Mel was so kindhearted and had time for absolutely everyone, We are absolutely devastated at the loss of such a wonderful spirit and will never ever forget her.’

The couple had both grown up in Holywell but only gotten together 10years ago, marrying in June 2011 at Greenfield Church.  

The couple, pictured, were married in June 2011 at Greenfield Church after having gotten together 10years ago

The couple, pictured, were married in June 2011 at Greenfield Church after having gotten together 10years ago

Rick, pictured centre, said Melanie, pictured right, and the family had gone on vacation to Disney World Florida two months ago and is glad for all the pictures that they took

Rick, pictured centre, said Melanie, pictured right, and the family had gone on vacation to Disney World Florida two months ago and is glad for all the pictures that they took

Rick said: ‘We had a holiday of a lifetime two months ago in Disney World Florida with my family and I am so glad we did as that has so many pictures with so many memories.’

He added: ‘Mel was better looking than all the Disney Princesses and she will always be my Miss Wales.’

Mel leaves behind a three-year-old child named Kaden and a 16-year-old stepdaughter, Taylor. 

A coroner has been informed.

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk