Diana Darvey was a British actress, singer and dancer, best known for her appearances on The Benny Hill Show in the 1970s. She was famous for her self-designed, often gravity-defying costumes and her show-stopping performances of Continental music standards. She died in 2000 at the age of 54 after a fall at her home. But what was the exact cause of her death and how did it happen?
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The Fall That Led to Her Death
According to IMDb, Diana fell down the stairs in her home, and although it was not a dramatic fall, it created a linear fracture in the left femur just below her pelvis. A fat embolism resulted due to marrow leakage from the untreated fracture, then traveled to her lung and she went into severe respiratory failure which resulted in her death.
A fat embolism is a rare but serious complication of bone fractures, especially in the long bones of the legs. It occurs when fat droplets from the bone marrow enter the bloodstream and block the small blood vessels in the lungs, brain, or other organs. This can cause symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, confusion, seizures, or coma. It can also lead to respiratory or cardiac arrest and death.
The Delayed Diagnosis and Treatment
According to Dead or Kicking, Diana’s cause of death was sustained fatal injuries after a serious fall. However, the fall itself was not the direct cause of her death, but rather the delayed diagnosis and treatment of her fracture and fat embolism.
Diana was not taken to the hospital immediately after her fall, but instead stayed at home with her husband, Ralph Barker, who was also her manager. She reportedly refused to see a doctor, thinking that her injury was not serious and that she would recover soon. She also did not want to miss her upcoming performances, as she was still active in the entertainment industry.
However, her condition worsened over the next few days, and she developed signs of respiratory distress and neurological impairment. She was finally rushed to the hospital, but it was too late to save her. She died on 11 April 2000, ten days before her 55th birthday.
The Legacy of Diana Darvey
Diana Darvey was a talented and versatile performer, who had a successful career in Spain and England. She was discovered by Benny Hill in Madrid in the early 1970s, and became a regular guest on his show. She was known for her comedic and musical skills, as well as her stunning costumes and dances. She also appeared in films, such as El arte de no casarse (1966) and Carry on Behind (1975), and TV shows, such as …And Mother Makes Five (1974).
She was married twice, first to Terry Gittings, whom she divorced, and then to Ralph Barker, who survived her. She had no children. She was buried in Surrey, England.
Diana Darvey’s cause of death was a tragic accident, that could have been prevented if she had received timely medical attention. Her fans and colleagues mourned her loss, and remembered her as a beautiful and talented star. She left behind a legacy of laughter and music, that will always be cherished by those who knew her and watched her.
