Royle Family's Liz Smith dies at 95

Tributes have been paid to The Royle Family’s Liz Smith, who has died at the age of 95.

The news comes less than six months after the death of the sitcom’s creator Caroline Aherne at the age of 52.

Smith – who died on Christmas Eve – played Nana for the three series of the BBC comedy from 1998 to 2000 and again in the 2006 special The Queen of Sheba, based around her character’s death. That touching episode was repeated just before Christmas in tribute to Aherne.

Her Royle Family co-star Ralf Little said: ‘Devastating to lose two members of my second family in one awful year. RIP Liz Smith. Goodbye Nana.’

Richard E Grant, who starred alongside her in the 1997 adaptation of Georghe Orwell’s Keep The Aspidistra Flying, added: ’Liz Smith-I loved working with you on the George Orwell film & privileged to have played & danced together R.I.P.’

And comic Phill Jupitus referred to another of her roles when he tweeted: ‘Farewell Liz Smith... A great turn in Sir Henry At Rawlinson End and a brilliant career…'

Smith was awarded an MBE in 2009. She announced her retirement that same year after suffering three strokes within just two days, which affected her speech.

Her other 138 film and TV roles included Letitia Cropley in The Vicar of Dibley, Aunt Bell in 2point4 Children, and Grandma Georgina in the 2005 version of Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, alongside Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter.

Here’s a clip of her in the Queen Of Sheba:

Published: 27 Dec 2016