The actress and comedian Bella Emberg has died at the age of 80.
Emberg, who was born in Brighton, enjoyed a 60-year career in the entertainment industry, and was arguably best-known for her role as Blunder Woman on the 1980s sketch series The Russ Abbot Show.
Emberg starred as Blunder Woman alongside the titular host of the show, who played the ill-fated superhero Cooperman.
Abbot paid tribute to Emberg as news of her passing broke, lauding the actress as “a woman of immense warmth and generosity”.
“She was not only a great sport but a huge comedy talent. I count myself very lucky to have worked alongside her,” he added. “She really was a one-off.”
As well as The Russ Abbot Show, Emberg also starred in Doctor Who, The Benny Hill Show and Z Cars, while she also made an appearance in the Mel Brooks film History of the World, Part I in 1981.
Tributes to Emberg have been published on social media since news of her death broke last night (January 12) – check out a selection below.
Sad news. Goodbye to Bella Emberg. pic.twitter.com/6vrAAgsPef
— John Challis (@BeingBoycie) January 12, 2018
So sad to lose the lovely Bella Emberg. A funny, lovely friend. Thoughts and love with Rosemary. Goodnight Sweetheart x pic.twitter.com/SNYQK92BmO
— Les Dennis (@LesDennis) January 13, 2018
Such sad news … my wonderful friend Bella Emberg has passed away. We’ve been chums since appearing together in a Summer show with Russ Abbot at the Princess Theatre, Torquay in 1981. A genuinely nice woman and despite her fierce on-stage characterisations, a truly gentle soul.
— Bobby Crush (@theBobbyCrush) January 12, 2018
RIP the glorious Bella Emberg, comic actress and long serving foil to Russ Abbot who has passed away aged 80. pic.twitter.com/WCLv51veex
— Kev Mc (@Kevmc13) January 12, 2018
Bella Emberg. One of a kind. Gone. Not forgotten. pic.twitter.com/bfn0R51hH1
— Michael Moran (@TheMichaelMoran) January 12, 2018
Emberg had recently finished filming her part on the new Sky One comedy In The Long Run, which has been created by Idris Elba and is due to premiere later this year.