Vivean Gray was loved by millions as the busybody resident Mrs Mangel in Neighbours.

Gray became known to millions of viewers as the stickybeak Ramsay Street resident Mrs Mangel in Neighbours, a character which fast became a favourite with fans.

Vivean Gray with Annie Jones, who played Mrs Mangel’s daughter Jane in the late 80s.Source:News Corp Australia

Gray played the role of gossip Nell Mangel from 1986 to 1988. The role was originally meant to be just a three-week stint for the acclaimed actress, but the meddlesome character proved so popular with viewers that scriptwriters kept returning to her.

Gray decided to quit the series in 1988, partly due to the abuse she copped from Neighbours fans who could not separate fact and fiction.

“I loved Neighbours and the rest of the cast were marvellous,” she said. “But because it was so successful I could barely set foot outside my own door without someone screaming abuse at horrid old ‘Mrs Mangel’. People didn’t seem to appreciate it was acting. So I decided to take a break.”

Gray was born in Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, as Jean Vivra Gray, but moved to Australia in 1952.

Vivean Gray as Mrs Jessup in The Sullivans.Source:Herald Sun

Before her role in Neighbours, she appeared as Mrs Jessup on The Sullivans in the mid-1970s as well as other dramas including Power Without Glory, Homicide, Division 4, Prisoner, All the Rivers Run and Anzacs.

Gray also graced the silver screen in films such as Picnic at Hanging Rock and The Last Wave.

Network Ten’s Head of Drama Rick Maier said Gray would be mourned by the entire Neighbours family.

“Mrs. Mangel and Mrs. Jessup were two of our most iconic characters from one our very best character actors. Ramsay Street changed forever, and certainly no secret was ever safe, with Mrs. Mangel on the lookout. Vivean’s contribution to Australian drama will never be forgotten. It is a very sad day for the Neighbours’ family,” Mr Maier said in a statement to television blog TV Tonight.