The Royle Family actress Liz Smith has died aged 95, a spokeswoman for her family has said.
The actress, who played the ailing Nana in the hit comedy show, died on Christmas Eve.
A statement from the spokeswoman on Monday night said: “The BAFTA award-winning actress Liz Smith has died, on Christmas Eve, at the age of 95, her family has announced.”
Her death comes in the same year as her co-star Caroline Aherne, who died from lung cancer.
She won best actress at the British Comedy Awards at the age of 85 for her role as Nana in The Royle Family, and played eccentric baker Letitia Cropley in The Vicar Of Dibley.
Royle Family actor Ralf Little tweeted after the sad news broke.
Devastating to lose two members of my second family in one awful year. RIP Liz Smith. Goodbye Nana. Xxx
— Ralf Little (@RalfLittle) December 26, 2016
The episode of the much-loved sitcom in which Nana dies – called The Queen of Sheba – was repeated on the BBC during Christmas week.
In 2009, the Prince of Wales presented Smith with an MBE and told her that the sofa-bound TV characters in the show were “nothing like my family, thank God”.
Liz only got her first professional roles in her 50s when Mike Leigh was looking for a middle-aged woman capable of improvisation for his debut feature Bleak Moments. Her career took off after she played the lead role in his first television film Hard Labour and she once said: “I owe everything to Mike.”
Fans have been paying tribute on Twitter.
RIP Liz Smith... Nana always bought me laughter in the Royle Family... such a sad year💔
— Jo Donnelly (@Jodonelly11Jo) December 26, 2016
Can't believe #LizSmith has passed away! Absolutely gutted! That woman made me laugh so much. Rest in peace ❤❤
— James (@SmilerGoble) December 26, 2016
RIP Liz Smith #TheRoyleFamily pic.twitter.com/6AdnJWnYPi
— Shaun B Tattoo MUFC (@shauny_b1) December 26, 2016
So gutted to hear about Liz Smith 😰 Royle family is one of my favourite ever series and we've lost 2 amazing actresses this year. RIP ❤️
— 🎄 Rebecca 🎄 (@staticnova_) December 26, 2016
Really really sad about Liz Smith. A good innings at 95 but still... such a hero of British Comedy. 2.4, Royale and loads more :(
— Matt Crockett (@MrMattCrockett) December 26, 2016
