Holly Willoughby has shared her own moving tribute to Dame Angela Lansbury - and credits her for starting her very own 'love affair'. The This Morning host took to Instagram on Wednesday morning (October 12) after the news of Dame Angela's death on Tuesday evening.
The Irish-British and American actress was best known for her portrayal of Jessica Fletcher in the American drama series Murder, She Wrote. According to a family statement, Dame Angela died "peacefully" in her sleep five days before her 97th birthday.
The statement said: "The children of Dame Angela Lansbury are sad to announce that their mother died peacefully in her sleep at home in Los Angeles at 1.30am today, Tuesday October 11 2022, just five days shy of her 97th birthday.
"In addition to her three children, Anthony, Deirdre and David, she is survived by three grandchildren, Peter, Katherine and Ian, plus five great-grandchildren and her brother, producer Edgar Lansbury. She was proceeded (sic) in death by her husband of 53 years, Peter Shaw. A private family ceremony will be held at a date to be determined."
Dame Angela was born in London in 1925 and later moved to the US during the Second World War where she studied at the Feagin School of Dramatic Art in New York. She then carved out a spectacular career spanning more than eight decades and was three-time Oscar nominee and five-time Tony Award winner.
More recently Dame Angela starred in the 2017 BBC adaptation of Little Women, playing Aunt March in the three-part series based on the novel by Louisa May Alcott. She also had a cameo part in the 2018 Mary Poppins sequel Mary Poppins Returns, in which she featured as an elderly colourfully-dressed balloon seller.
Sharing a picture of the late actress with her eight million followers, Holly, 41, typed: "Waking up to the sad news that Dame Angela Lansbury has passed away… she was part of so many of my favourite things growing up… Bed-knobs and broomsticks, Beauty and the Beast and perhaps my favourite Murder she wrote…
She added: "A love affair with the murder mystery was born from there… thank you Dame Angela for everything." And Holly's followers were also sharing their sadness in the comments section.
@sv_coley said: "She was such a legend and will be much missed. I still watch Murder she wrote most weekends." @pembe2008 commented: "Such sad news, lovely lady and brilliant actress." @etseventsdecor added: "Such a talented Legend, will definitely be watching Murder she wrote on repeat, absolutely loved her, May her soul rest in peace."
Holly has previously spoken of her love for mystery dramas like Murder She Wrote. Last year she was left stunned when she was offered a role on Midsomer Murders live on This Morning. She was invited for a cameo in the long-running ITV hit by stars of the show Neil Dudgeon and Nick Hendrix.
She later admitted she had one line in the show which appeared to be more difficult than she thought. Soap queen Sharon Marshall asked her how filming had gone during an appearance on the show last summer and Holly appeared quite shy and explained: "It wasn't take one, put it that way." Before adding: "Or take two or take 10. Around about take 25 I got the words out but it's fine."
Co-host Phillip Schofield then asked: "Did you have a lot to say?" to which Holly confessed: "One line. I had a few scenes, but one line and I couldn't get it out. But I had a really good day." Phillip then asked her another question: "Do you think you'll be invited back?" to which she laughed: "I don't think so."
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