Benidorm entertainer Sticky Vicky faced many health battles in her final few years.
The world-famous performer, whose real name is Victoria María Aragüés Gadea, was known for her risqué 'magic shows' in the holiday resort, where she would pull unusual objects from inside her body. Millions of tourists would flock to Benidorm every year to see Vicky in her element on stage.
It was announced today that Vicky has died aged 80. Her heartbroken daughter, Maria Gadea, wrote on Facebook: "I regret these words, my mother Sticky Vicky passed away today at 6 in the morning, I can't believe it. She has gone, surrounded by her family, with all of our love. I thank God for being able to always be by her side, I am left with a broken heart."
Fans have honoured the legendary star online, praising her for 'putting Benidorm on the map' and calling her a 'true legend'. Her cause of death is yet to be announced. Over the years, Vicky has suffered many health woes, including a hip operation, a cancer battle and a nasty fall.
Just this summer, Vicky was hospitalised after smashing her knees while getting into a car. She spent a few days in hospital, where she had staples inserted, and was released before being swiftly returned after feeling more pain. Vicky wrote to her fans on Facebook in July: "Hello everyone. First of all, to know that I'm fine, last week I had an accident before I got into the car and I fell to the ground.
She continued: "We spent five days in the hospital. After being discharged and returning home, we are here again today, since it hurts a lot and you have to see if I have an infection. I hope not and we can go home today. We will report the evolution. Take care." She did not share any updates about her recovery.
Vicky, who was a trained ballet dancer, performed her last show in 2015, just days before she had a hip operation. In February 2016, she announced her retirement after being diagnosed with uterine cancer. "I have cancer. This is something we want to share with everyone," she wrote on Facebook, explaining that it was detected during her op and she would need to have treatment. "I am upbeat and positive," she finished.
At the time, Vicky told a Spanish newspaper: "I want to enjoy life now. I've been working since I was 11 and it's time for a rest." The star added: "We were born and we have to die. But I don't want to die." Her daughter Maria, now 42, carried on her mum's legacy by continuing the X-rated act herself, and Vicky was very proud, posing for a photo by a billboard in Benidorm.
Maria first watched her mum's performance at age 14 and was in awe of her tricks. "I remember she was super shy and worried about what I would think," Maria told the Daily Star last year. "I told her that I loved seeing her and I liked her show." But gossiping parents and school bullies made it hard for her in school. "Of course, a lot of parents at home would talk about my mother and [their kids] would later express it," she said.
When Vicky retired, Maria said copycat entertainers tried to profit from her mum's career, which inspired her to take to the stage. "I decided to do her show when everyone wanted to take advantage of her name and lie to the public about who her daughter was. My intention was to ally myself with my mother to be stronger, and shut up the liars," she said, adding: "Whoever cannot appreciate my art, I feel sorry for them. We cannot please everyone."
Vicky spent more than 35 years building a cult following, with tourists travelling miles to Spain to see her wild tricks. Since she started the show in the mid-70s, it's estimated six million people watched her entertaining shows. She performed six times per night, six days a week in Benidorm for three decades, and also appeared in the hit ITV programme Benidorm, where she was a guest of honour at the opening of Mel's Mobility Shop.