Loose Women’s Denise Welch and EastEnders’ Rudolph Walker have led the tributes to Josephine Melville following her tragic passing during the week.
The actress who was performing as Aunty Maggie in a production of Nine Night at Nottingham Playhouse when she sadly died backstage on October 20.
Josephine was best known for playing Tessa Parker in the BBC One soap opera EastEnders.
READ NEXT: EastEnders Tessa Parker star Josephine Melville dies backstage after performing in play
Many celebrity pals and former colleagues took to Twitter to pay touching tributes to the Tessa actress, with Loose Women’s Denise Welch being one of them.
(Image: PA)
Taking to Twitter Denise penned: “So so sad. A wonderful actress.”
EastEnders star Rudolph Walker who plays Patrick Truman took to Twitter also and penned: “Saddened at the passing of Josephine Melville.
“It was two weeks ago she hugged me and expressed her desire for us to do something together next summer. Jo, we’ll miss you, may your beautiful soul Rest in Peace. Condolences to the family.”
(Image: Getty Images)
Fellow Nine Night cast member and Coronation Street star Andrea Davy, who played Trudy, said: “Such a pleasure and honour to work with you Josephine. RIP.
“Our Nine Night family is lost without you. One Love Aunty Maggie! Trudy.”
Adjoa Andoh, who plays Lady Danbury in Netflix’s Bridgerton took to social media and said: “Ach…I’m so shocked. A wonderful actress. Amazing comic timing.
“Part of a community of artists who understood the power of black stories. All blessings & condolences to the family. Full of light, rest in your power Jo.”
(Image: Getty Images)
In a statement the venue in which Josephine was performing at and then suddenly died at backstage said: “We are deeply saddened to announce that last night the actor Josephine Melville, passed away backstage at Nottingham Playhouse following the performance of the play Nine Night, in which she was performing.
“Josephine’s family have been informed, and our thoughts and deep condolences are with them.”
Although she segued to the stage, Josephine’s acting credits also included roles in TV shows like The Bill and Casualty.
She was best known however for her portrayal of Tessa in EastEnders during the 1980s.
More recently though, earlier this year appeared in the video for Ella Henderson’s single Brave.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
