The death has been announced of the British actress Barbara Shelley, best known for her roles in classic Hammer Horror films. She was was 88.
Her agent, Thomas Bowington, told the Press Association that Shelley had recently been in hospital, where she contracted Covid-19, but had recovered from the disease.
"It wasn't the Covid that took her; she had underlying issues," he explained.
Born Barbara Kowin, Shelley's film credits included The Gorgon, Dracula: Prince Of Darkness, Rasputin: The Mad Monk; Quatermass and the Pit, Blood of the Vampire and Village of the Damned.
On the small screen, Shelley played Hester Samuels in EastEnders and also appeared in the series The Saint, The Avengers, The Borgias, Doctor Who, Blake's 7 and Crown Court, among many others.
"She really was Hammer's number one leading lady and the Technicolour Queen of Hammer," said Bowington.
"On screen, she could be quietly evil. She goes from statuesque beauty to just animalistic wildness.
"She was a regular favourite of Hammer events and autograph shows but also performed on stage with the RSC [Royal Shakespeare Company]."
He added: "She adored Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing and loved working with them, that was very dear to her."
