By ADAM ASPINALL
THE parents of a Midlands model who became one of the most famous faces of the 1980s as a Cadbury’s Flake Girl paid tribute to her last night after her death from cancer.
Stunning Marilyn Crossey, 52, from Telford in Shropshire, shot to fame in 1985 after starring in one of the iconic television adverts.
Her beautiful face and curly brown hair wowed millions of viewers as she indulged in the sensuous pleasure of eating a chocolate bar, surrounded by sunflowers in idyllic countryside.
Last night, devastated parents George and Connie Crossey, from Shropshire, revealed she died two weeks ago after losing a long battle with cancer of the liver.
George, an 84 year-old Burma War veteran, said: “Marilyn was such a pretty girl and we were so proud of everything she achieved.
“She left home at 18 and travelled across the world but always made sure she came back to see us from time to time.” Her parents are hoping people will now help remember their daughter by contributing to the Severn Hospice in Telford where she spent her last two days.
“The staff there are angels,”
added Mr Crossey.
“They treated Marilyn and us just like family and deserve every penny to continue providing such a wonderful service.”
The first television advert for Flakewas broadcast in 1959 and the latest commercial featured soul singer Joss Stone.
The adverts have become iconic because of their seductive undertones as the Flake Girls slowly unwrap, then put the chocolate bars into their mouths – accompanied by the famous theme tune.
After her advert success, Marilyn featured in glamorous fashion shoots across the globe and also toured extensively with 1980s indie band The Cure.
She was once feared dead for several days when her small boat went adrift in the Caribbean – and she had to survive on raw fish.
Marilyn was also a talented artist in her earlier days and her work still graces the entrance of what is now called Wrockwardine Wood Art College in Telford.
She eventually went on to qualify as an interior decorator and had lived and worked most recently in Spain.
(c) 2008 Sunday Mercury; Birmingham (UK). Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.
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