An actress who starred in the likes of Beauty and the Beast and The Crown has passed away at the age of 66.
Haydn Gwynne was an English actress and BAFTA TV Award nominee who was arguably best known for her role in the comedy TV show Drop the Dead Donkey.
Among other notable roles, Gwynne portrayed Queen Consort in Netflix’s The Crown and Clothilde in Beauty and the Beast.
It was now revealed that the actress died from cancer following a recent diagnosis. She was surrounded by her loved ones during her final moments.
Tributes to the veteran TV show star have since the tragic announcement begun pouring in.
“I had the huge pleasure of sharing the stage with her, in the play The Audience where, much like the original characters (Queen Elizabeth II and Margaret Thatcher) we danced a delicate dance together,” Dame Helen Mirren said as she branded Gwynne as a “consummate dedicated actress.”
“She was both funny and serious at the same time, a brilliant balancing act that her whole career exemplified. We will miss her very much.”
“This is a terrible loss. One of the nicest and one of the best,” actor Samuel West added.
James Dreyfus expressed: “Terribly sad to hear of the death of Haydn Gwynne. A wonderful actress. Far too young.”
The outpouring of tributes and recollections comes after Haydn’s reps broke the saddening news with the following statement:
“It is with great sadness we are sharing with you that, following her recent diagnosis with cancer, the star of stage and screen Haydn Gwynne died in hospital in the small hours of Friday 20 October, surrounded by her beloved sons, close family and friends.
“We would like to thank the staff and teams at the Royal Marsden and Brompton Hospitals for their wonderful care over the last few weeks.”
Our thoughts are with Haydn’s loved ones during this challenging time.