Patsy Byrne found fame as ‘Nursie’ – or was it Bernard? – to Queen Elizabeth (Miranda Richardson) in Blackadder II (Picture: BBC)

Veteran actress Patsy Byrne – who achieved small screen infamy as ‘Nursie’ in Blackadder II – has died aged 80.

According to an announcement in the Telegraph, Byrne passed away on June 17 at Denville Hall – a retirement home for actors – in Hillingdon, London.

The actress, who was born in Ashford, Kent, notched up a string of TV and theatre roles in the early part of her acting career.

However she is best remembered for her Blackadder role – with the clueless but loyal Nursie (whose real name was actually Bernard), becoming one of the most loved characters of the 1986 series.


Blackadder’s Facebook page was among those paying tribute to the actress, whose death comes less than a fortnight after Rik Mayall – who played Lord Flashheart in the series – also passed away.



‘Very saddened to hear that Blackadder has lost another amazing actor. RIP Patsy Byrne AKA Nursie AKA Bernard,’ the page said.

‘You and Flashheart can flirt for an eternity now.’

Let’s remind ourselves of some of Nursie’s best bits from the series…

‘You’d better make sure your foot doesn’t fall off’: the moment when Nursie explains to the Queen exactly why she shouldn’t have too many good ideas…

‘But it hasn’t got a winkle’: Nursie recalls the time that everybody thought Queen Elizabeth was a boy, until…

‘I shall wear it always to remind me of him’: Nursie learns that her suitor Captain Redbeard Rum has passed away – but he left behind a souvenir…

‘I like it firm and fruity’: And let’s not forget the moment when Flashheart and Nursie met for the first time…