COMEDY legend Russ Abbot has paid tribute to former co-star Bella Emberg after her death at the age of 80.
Abbot described the comedy actress, who appeared alongside him as Blunderwoman on The Russ Abbot Show, as “a huge comedy talent” and “a woman of immense warmth and generosity”.
During a television career spanning six decades, Bella appeared in several hit programmes including The Benny Hill Show, Doctor Who and Z Cars.
Most recently she had just finished filming In The Long Run, a Sky One comedy created by Idris Elba, according to the BBC.
However it was her turn as Blunderwoman, the comic sidekick of Abbot’s Cooperman in the 1980s, that she will be best remembered.
In a statement yesterday, Abbot, 70, said: “It is with a heavy heart that I heard the news about Bella. She was not only a great sport but a huge comedy talent.
“A genuinely funny woman, but most of all a woman of immense warmth and generosity. I count myself very lucky to have worked alongside her.
“She really was a one off. RIP Bella”.
Other stars also paid tribute to the actress.
John Challis, who played Boycie in Only Fools And Horses, said: “Sad news. Goodbye to Bella Emberg.”
Enjoy the convenience of having The Sunday Post delivered as a digital ePaper straight to your smartphone, tablet or computer.
Subscribe for only £5.49 a month and enjoy all the benefits of the printed paper as a digital replica.
Subscribe