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Lord of the Rings star dies 'suddenly' as Miriam Margolyes confirms tragic news

A well-known British actress has died as friend and fellow performer Miriam Margolyes paid tribute to her pal, branding her as 'endlessly generous' following her sudden death

One of Miriam Margolyes' "dear friends," who also worked as an actress, has sadly died.

British actress Marian Diamond has passed away aged 89, with her dear friend and fellow actress Miriam Margolyes confirming the heartbreaking news in a moving tribute on social media today. Miriam disclosed that Marian had died at University College Hospital in London on Monday, January 5.

Marian boasted a distinguished acting career with numerous appearances in television programmes including Brookside, Jackanory, Doctors and countless others. She also brought the ethereal character of Galadriel, the 'Lady of the Woods', to life in the 1981 radio adaptation of J. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings.

Reflecting warmly on their careers, Miriam wrote: "Alas, on my mind is the sudden death last Monday, of my dear friend, Marian Diamond, at UCH in London, aged 89. We first met in Edinburgh, I think in 1968 at the Traverse Theatre, and I loved her from then on. We worked together in radio after I joined the BBC Drama Rep. Company in 1965."

[An adult female with shoulder-length, wavy hair and a male individual dressed in a formal suit are standing next to each other, appearing to be engaged in conversation.]

Miriam pictured with singer Cliff Richard(Image: Popperfoto via Getty Images)

"She was one of the angels in our business, endlessly generous, interested in others and thrilled by their success. She was beautiful, gentle, full of fun, wise and perceptive," reports the Mirror.

Miriam concluded her touching tribute with: "I feel utterly bereft: a unique spirit has been taken very suddenly away from us. Her late sister, the casting director, Gillian Diamond and her close friend, the actor Hugh Dickson, both died in 2018."

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Miriam shared the sad news on her social media(Image: Getty Images)

"Gillian's sons survive her. I hope they will share with her friends the funeral details. She deserves a full house. Marian, you're held in my heart forever."

Stage manager Paul Jackson also shared a heartfelt tribute: "I am deeply saddened by the news that Miriam Margoyles posted, that my dear friend Marian Diamond died on the 5th January, aged 89. She was a great supporter of Play School and my archiving of the programme and we remained friends for 35 years."

[A black-and-white photograph depicts an individual with short hair, standing against a textured background. The person is dressed in a dark-colored, long-sleeved top and is looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression. Behind the individual, there is a decorative railing with intricate patterns, suggesting an outdoor setting.]

The actress' friends gathered to share their condolences(Image: Facebook)

He continued: "Although I know she had been battling health issues in recent years, I was thrilled to see her in December 2024, when she joined Play School creator Joy Whitby, Phyllida Law (+Sophie Thompson) and Carol Chell at Riverside Studios, to view an exclusive showing of a previously "missing" episode from Thursday 12th August 1965, which she presented with Rick Jones.

"She was a gentle soul and did much work away from acting helping people. Will be sorely missed x".

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