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Vale: Una Stubbs

Veteran UK actress, best known for Till Death Us Do Part and Sherlock, has died.

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Veteran UK actress Una Stubbs, best known for Till Death Us Do Part and Sherlock, has died aged 84.

“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,” a family statement read.

Her agent Rebecca Blond said she would “miss her enormously and remember her always”.

The veteran actress had been ill for a few months, she confirmed.

“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.

“She was also a highly respected and exhibited artist.”

She found fame in Cliff Richard’s 1963 film Summer Holiday and went on to appear in shows like Worzel Gummidge, The Worst Witch, EastEnders and Sherlock.

After starting her career as a dancer, Stubbs became a fixture on the small screen in the 60s when she played Alf Garnett’s exasperated daughter Rita in Till Death Us Do Part and the 1980s follow-ups ‘Til Death and In Sickness and In Health.

Other credits included The Catherine Tate Show, Benidorm and as Sherlock‘s landlady Mrs Hudson in the UK drama starring Benedict Cumberbatch.

Sherlock creator Steven Moffat said: “What a woman, what a talent, what a star – and just about the kindest, nicest, funniest person you could meet.

“I don’t know how anyone even starts summing up that career – Till Death Us Do Part, Fawlty Towers, the incomparable Aunt Sally in Worzel Gummidge… and, of course, the irreplaceable heart and soul of Sherlock“.

“I am amazed at the strength I found,” she told The Guardian in 2007.

“When I think of what a lightweight girl I was, expecting roses to grow around the door, expecting everyone to be perfect… but of course, it’s the layers you grow that make you into a person.

“I realise on reflection that I’m a strong person – even steely, actually – but I had no idea.”

Source: BBC

4 Responses

  1. I was a big fan of Till Death Us Do Part, it’s almost certain that this style of social satire will ever be made again. Una, Warren, Dandy and Antony created some classic 60’s comedy characters that endured the test of time.

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