Actress Maria Charles has passed away at the age of 93.
The Coronation Street star died on April 21, the Mirror reports.
Maria was also known for her role as Mrs Reaper in Hot Fuzz but is perhaps most famous for playing Bea Fisher, Maureen Lipman's character Jane Lucas' mum in ITV sitcom Agony. She last appeared on screens as Granny in Skins in 2009.
For her stint on Coronation Street, Maria starred as Lena, a pal of Blanche, who appeared to be interested in Ken Barlow and believed that she had a chance with him following his split from Deidre.
Maria started out in 1945 when she took to the stage in a production of Alice in Wonderland in a theatre in Worthing before she went on to stand on the London west end stage.
Just one year later, she bagged a role in Pick up Girl in London's Prince of Wales theatre.
Maria's last appearance on the west end stage was in 2007, when she starred as Noreen Biggs in Bad Girls at the Garrick Theatre.
She also once turned down the opportunity to appear on Broadway with The Boyfriend as she was expecting her first child.
Fans have paid tribute, with one writing: "RIP Maria Charles. She was fantastic in Bad Girls as Noreen Biggs. Great actress. To Sylvia Hollamby I Leave What's Under My Mattress."
"RIP Maria Charles. A great star of the stage, but it was the groundbreaking sitcom 'Agony' in 1979 where I first fell in love with her work. What a dreadful year 2023 is turning out to be!" said a second.
A third commented: "RIP the lovely Maria Charles, who played feisty Noreen Biggs in both Bad Girls and Bad Girls the Musical in the West End. She was so much fun, a true pro with a naughty glint in her eye. Such a long illustrious career and always so lovely to be around."
Maria is survived by daughters Kelly and Samantha.
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