Vivean hailed from Cleethropes in Lincolnshire, and moved to Australia in 1952, where she also enjoyed roles in “Homicide”, “Division 4”, “Matlock Police” and “Prisoner”.
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Mark Little, who played her on screen son Joe, said he’d been “privileged to understand and work with her”.
Before landing the role of Mrs Mangel, she appeared in theatre and radio, as well as the 1975 film adaptation of Picnic at Hanging Rock, directed by Peter Weir. This played a large role in her decision to leave Neighbours, and in 1988 Gray retired.
In the 1989 book, The Neighbours Factfile, she said: “I loved Neighbours and the rest of the cast were marvellous”.
However, after two years on the show, the actress didn’t seem comfortable with worldwide fame and left in 1988 when she retired from acting.
Gray is said to have moved back to West Sussex after leaving Neighbours.
She gave up acting after the show, complaining of the verbal attacks she received from people who could not distinguish her from her on-screen character.
Tributes poured in for the late actress, with one tweeting: “RIP Vivean Gray #MrsMangel #Neighbours all my childhood memories going”.
“Vivean Gray: Legend many times over”.
As the bothersome busybody constantly at loggerheads with easygoing Madge Bishop, Mrs Mangel was a fine villain – not at all evil but interfering and holier than thou.
She meant to take a break from acting but Mrs Mangel proved to be her final acting role.
“Vivean’s contribution to Australian drama will never be forgotten”.
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“It is a very sad day for the Neighbours family”, said Maier.
