Star of vintage sitcom The Larkins

Actress Peggy Mount, star of vintage sitcom The Larkins, has died at the age of 86.

She died after a long illness at a nursing home in Northwood, north-west London. She recently lost her sight and had suffered a series of strokes.

Mount was known for her battleaxe roles. She landed the part of Ada Larkins following a stint as the stereotypical mother-in-law in the long-running stage show Sailor Beware!, which was turned into a 1956 movie.

The Larkins ran on ITV from 1958 to 1964 and was acclaimed at the time as the funniest sitcom British TV had produced.

Mount also starred in the Seventies sitcom You're Only Young Twice, set in a retirement home. Although not a critical success, it ran for four years.

Mount, who received an OBE in 1996, also had notable roles in the films Oliver! and Finders Keepers

Published: 13 Nov 2001