British actress Una Stubbs, whose career spanned more than 60 years, has died at the age of 84, according to a statement released by her family and agency.
Mrs Stubbs first shot into the limelight in 1963, starring opposite Cliff Richard in the film Summer Holiday in her first major screen role.
She parlayed this success into clinching her breakthrough role in the sitcom Till Death Us Do Part in 1965.
She played the part of Rita in the programme for a decade before moving onto to star in a deluge of Britain’s most-loved shows throughout the rest of her career, including Worzel Gummidge, Fawlty Towers and Eastenders.
In her final major role, Mrs Stubbs played the landlady of Benedict Cumberbatch’s Sherlock Holmes as Mrs Hudson in the hit BBC drama Sherlock.
In the statement, her sons Joe and Christian Henson and Jason Gilmore said: “Mum passed away quietly today with her family around her, in Edinburgh. We ask for privacy and understanding at this most difficult and sad of times.”
Rebecca Blond, Mrs Stubbs’ agent for more than 20 years, said: “We are desperately sad to have lost not only a wonderful actress, whose screen and stage career, spanning over 50 years, was so extraordinarily varied, from Till Death Us Do Part to Sherlock, as well as memorable performances in the West End, at the Old Vic, Donmar Warehouse, Sheffield Crucible and National Theatre, but also a wickedly funny, elegant, stylish, graceful, gracious and kind and constant friend.”
