BENIDORM's legendary Sticky Vicky had a wildly unique career that spread from exotic dancing to X-rated performances making various objects 'disappear.'
The iconic performer, who has died at the age of 80 after a long health battle, was an integral part of Benidorm's entertainment scene, having performed tirelessly for over 30 years.
The star, whose real name is Victoria María Aragüés Gadea, was known for her raunchy magic tricks on stage.
Born in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, she first trained as a ballet dancer for 15 years before inventing a nude magic show that premiered in Barcelona.
The mum-of-two moved to Benidorm in the 1980s, where she would become a part of the tourist hotspot's history.
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Her shows included her pulling a variety of items from her private parts, including ping pong balls, eggs, handkerchiefs, sausages, and razor blades
She performed at the Costa Blanca resort which was nicknamed Little England because of the number of British tourists who visited.
In her heyday, she performed six shows a night, six days a week.
Vicky, the daughter of a soldier dad and an opera singer mum, marked the start of the third series of long-running TV sitcom Benidorm starring Johnny Vegas.
She carried on performing her X-rated show well past the usual retirement age after postponing plans to hang up her props so she could fight rival performers she denounced as imposters.
In 2011, she went to court against an adult entertainer in Benidorm traditionally known as Sticky Barbara after discovering she had registered the name Sticky Vicky as hers.
Judges sided with the real Sticky Vicky in 2009 after ruling Spaniard Maria Rosa Pereira had acted in “bad faith” and telling Vicky Leyton she was the legal owner of the trademark.
Asked what she would change about her life if she could before her retirement, she told an interviewer: “Nothing. I have a fantastic life, with wonderful family and friends. What more could anyone want?”
Vicky took to the stage for a final time in 2016, days before she underwent a hip operation.
She was diagnosed with uterine cancer the following year.
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The star celebrated her 80th birthday in April as fans paid their tribute to the performer.
Last summer, the dancer was rushed to hospital after suffering a horror fall while trying to get into a car.
After spending five days in hospital and having staples inserted into her knees, the dancer shared a photo of herself in recovery as she thanked her fans for their well-wishes.
Vicky has left behind her son, Eduardo, and her daughter Maria who has carried on her late mother's legacy.
Maria uses the same stage name as Sticky Vicky, saying that she was inspired to do so after copycats were trying to make money by performing similar acts.
In 2021 she said she wanted to revive the Sticky Vicky spectacle for die-hard fans and new generations of tourists as she revealed her mum was suffering from early onset dementia and using a walker while awaiting a second hip replacement.
Vicky said at the time: “Hopefully I’ll be back on my feet again soon.
“It’s very nice that my daughter wants to carry on with what I’ve been doing these years and keep the spectacle alive.
“My stage days are over but I’m hoping I can accompany her."
Today her devastated daughter shared the news of her death stating: "I regret these words, my mother Sticky Vicky passed away.
Her daughter, Maria, shared a touching tribute on Facebook, writing: "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."
