Comedian Victoria Wood has died aged 62 after “a short but brave” battle with cancer, her family announced in the past hour.
“The multi Bafta award-winning writer, director, actor and comedian died peacefully at her north London home with family this morning,” her publicist Neil Reading said.
Wood found fame in the 1980s with her TV series Victoria Wood As Seen On TV and was awarded a CBE in 2008.
She won five Baftas including two for her one-off ITV drama Housewife 49.
Wood got her first break on the TV talent show New Faces in 1974, while still a student at Birmingham University. She went on to create the hit shows Acorn Antiques and Dinnerladies, featuring her long-time collaborator Julie Walters.
Acorn Antiques also spawned a musical, which Wood wrote and was directed by Trevor Nunn in 2005.
British Prime Minister David Cameron paid tribute saying: “Victoria Wood was a national treasure loved by millions. My thoughts are with her family”.
Comedian Ricky Gervais also tweeted: “RIP the brilliant Victoria Wood. So innovative, funny and down to earth. This has not been a good year.”
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