DROP the Dead Donkey actress Haydn Gwynne has died aged 66 following a battle with cancer.
The Bafta-nominated star also had a role as Lady Susan Hussey in hit Netflix show The Crown.
Announcing the tragic news today, her agent said: “It is with great sadness we are sharing with you that, following her recent diagnosis with cancer, the star of stage and screen Haydn Gwynne died in hospital in the small hours of Friday 20 October, surrounded by her beloved sons, close family and friends.
“We would like to thank the staff and teams at the Royal Marsden and Brompton Hospitals for their wonderful care over the last few weeks.”
Haydn was praised for her role as Alex Pates in 1990s Channel 4 show Drop the Dead Donkey.
She also appeared as Camilla in The Windsors alongside Harry Enfield.
The star earned a Bafta and Tony Award nomination for her role in Billy Elliot the Musical on the West End.
Haydn played the titular character’s dance teacher and was due to return to the stage last month.
Sadly, the actress was forced to pull out after being diagnosed with cancer.
Haydn was born in Sussex in 1957 and attended the University of Nottingham where she studied sociology.
Most read in Showbiz
The star later took a five-year lectureship in Italy at the University of Rome La Sapienza where she taught English as a foreign language.
Her first acting role was as feminist lecturer Dr Robyn Penrose in the BBC mini-series dramatisation of David Lodge’s Nice Work in 1989.
Haydn then went on to appear in the 1991 Children’s ITV science-fiction series Time Riders and Peak Practice.
She also starred in Merseybeat in 2001 and played Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in The Audience.
Away from TV, Haydn appeared in a string of theatre productions, including Hedda Gabler and City of Angels.
Haydn lived in London with her partner Jason Phipps and their two sons.
