Beloved English actress Una Stubbs has died at 84.
Her agent confirmed Thursday that after being sick for a few months, she passed away in her Edinburgh home, the BBC reported.
Her three sons also confirmed her death in a statement: “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.”
Most recently, Stubbs played Mrs. Hudson, Sherlock Holmes’ landlady, alongside Benedict Cumberbatch in the BAFTA-winning BBC drama “Sherlock,” an adaptation of the popular detective stories.
Steven Moffat, the creator of “Sherlock,” paid tribute to Stubbs, describing her as “the loveliest light on Baker Street” in an Instagram post.
“What a woman, what a talent, what a star — and just about the kindest, nicest, funniest person you could meet,” he wrote.
Rebecca Blond, who has worked as Stubbs’ agent for more than 20 years, said she would “miss her enormously and remember her always.”
“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 said.
Born in Hertfordshire, England, in 1937, Stubbs had been acting since the 1960s. She appeared in a number of popular British films and television series, including “Worzel Gummidge,” “Sherlock” and “EastEnders.”
Her breakthrough role came in 1966 when she nabbed the part of Alf Garnett’s daughter Rita in the BBC sitcom “Till Death Us Do Part,” a character she reprised several times in revivals of the series. She also played the kooky Miss Bat in the 1998 hit children’s fantasy television program “The Worst Witch,” which also starred Felicity Jones, Jessica Fox and Clare Coulter.
During the 1990s, she performed in several theater productions in Manchester, including the Oscar Wilde play “An Ideal Husband” and “The Philadelphia Story.”
Following news of her death, an outpouring of appreciation for the late actress flowed from the entertainment industry.
“To this day I think Una was the most effortlessly chic and stylish woman I’ve ever met,” wrote actress Jessica Fox, who worked with Stubbs in “The Worst Witch.” “I feel very lucky to have worked with her. I always remember Una as being so kind and caring of the younger cast. She was very quick, funny and incredibly professional.”
