Rosalind Knight's 70-year career spanned Carry On to Gimme Gimme Gimme

Rosalind Knight, who played Horrible Grandma in Friday Night Dinner has died at the age of 87.

In a career that spanned 70 years, she also appeared in early Carry On Films and Blue Murder at Trinian’s in the 1950s, Tom Jones  in the 1960s, Only Fools and Horses in the 1980s (as the imposing landlady of the Villa Bella guest house) and  as retired prostitute Beryl in the BBC sitcom Gimme Gimme Gimme from 1990 to 2001, opposite Kathy Burke.

Her family released a statement saying:  ‘It is with huge sadness that the family of Rosalind Knight announce her death following a glorious career as a well-loved actress in theatre, TV and film

‘She was known to so many generations, for so many different roles, and will be missed as much by the kids today who howl at Horrible Grandma in Friday Night Dinner as by those of us who are old enough to remember her in the very first Carry On films.’

The daughter of British actor Esmond Knight, she  was married to directot and producer Michael Elliott from 1959 until his death in 1984.

Their  children, theatre director Marianne Elliott and actress Susannah Elliott, said their mother would be remembered for her 'immense spirit and sense of fun, and her utter individuality'.

They said: 'Our mother had the most astute, vibrant personality and made people laugh wherever she went. She was a great reader, art lover and raconteur…. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.'

Among those paying tribute today were Home creator Rufus Jones, who appeared with her on Julia Davis series Hunderby.

He tweeted: 'Rosalind did the most unspeakably funny things on Hunderby, and early morning car journeys to set with her were a wonderful privilege. What a fantastic person.'

Friday Night Dinner writer Robert Popper added: 'She was a wonderful, talented lady and is sorely missed.'

And Gimme Gimme Gimme writerJonathan Harvey said: 'So sad to hear that Rosalind Knight has died. She was just perfect as the old prozzie Beryl in Gimme Gimme Gimme, and of course she had a very distinguished career before and after.... Sending love to all her family x'

Published: 20 Dec 2020