Dawn French leads tributes as Vicar of Dibley's Alice dies at 53

 Vicar of Dibley actress Emma Chambers has died aged 53, her agent has confirmed.

The actress, who died from natural causes on Wednesday night, played dim-witted  Alice Tinker in the BBC sitcom.

She also played Honey, the younger sister of Hugh Grant's character, William Thacker, in Notting Hill in 1998.

In a statement, her agents said Chambers, would be 'greatly missed', adding: 'She created a wealth of characters and an immense body of work. She brought laughter and joy to many.'

She is survived by her husband, fellow actor Ian Dunn.

Dibley star Dawn French led the tributes, to the 'unique & beautiful spark'.

I was regularly humped like this by the unique & beautiful spark that was Emma Chambers. I never minded. I loved her. A lot . pic.twitter.com/imzkoyKja9

— Dawn French (@Dawn_French) February 24, 2018

Emma Freud, whose husband Richard Curtis wrote both Vicar Of Dibley and Notting Hill, tweeted: 'Our beautiful friend Emma Chambers has died at the age of 53. We're very very sad. She was a great, great comedy performer, and a truly fine actress. And a tender, sweet, funny, unusual, loving human being.'

Notting Hill star Hugh Grant added: ‘Emma was a hilarious and very warm person and of course a brilliant actress. Very sad news.’
 

And James Dreyfus, who also appeared in Notting Hill, added: 'RIP the wonderful and talented Emma Chambers. Unique,& unspeakably funny. Too young. Thoughts with her family.'

Here she is in her most famous role:

Published: 24 Feb 2018