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EastEnders and Doctor Who star Cheryl Hall dies aged 76 as famous ex shares sad news

British actress Cheryl Hall, known for On The Buses, EastEnders and Citizen Smith, has died aged 76, as her former partner described her as a "force of nature"

[Image]

EastEnders and On The Buses star Cheryl Hall has died at the age of 76(Image: BBC)

A much loved EastEnders star has died at the age of 76. Cheryl Hall, who also starred in On The Buses and EastEnders, was confirmed to have passed away according to a post by a former co-star on Wednesday (August 12).

The beloved actress, known for her role as Shirley Johnson in the sitcom Citizen Smith, leaves behind her former husband Robert Lindsay. No cause of death has been disclosed as yet.

Her former partner Robin Askwith, whom she dated for three years, shared the sad news on X, writing: "What a force of nature she was. A really innovative, working-class, charismatic actress coming out of the late 60s."

[Robin Askwith]

Robin Askwith broke the news to his followers on his social media on Wednesday

"Brave in every way. And now I have the sad news that she has passed away... I am devastated... she was my beginning... RIP Cheryl Hall."

Fans quickly took to the comments section to express their condolences online according to the Express, with one user writing: "Oh no, how sad. I used to work with her mum in the early 80s. RIP Cheryl."

Another concurred: "Really sad news. Sending condolences to you and her friends and family [crying emoji]."

A third chimed in: "Unbelievable. So sad, what an absolutely beautiful woman. I've just recently been watching her back on TV on a rerun of The Lucky Feller with David Jason. Super talented and will be sadly missed."

[Citizen Smith]

She is survived by her former husband and co-star Robert Lindsay(Image: Radio Times via Getty Images)

Meanwhile, another posted: "Really sad news, I grew up watching her in Citizen Smith. She will forever be Shirl. Bless her [purple heart emoji]."

The actress first shot to fame back in 1971 when she played Eileen, a clippie, in the On The Buses episode The Epidemic. After getting her first taste of stardom as a performer, she went on to feature in some of the most popular programmes on television.

During her time in the spotlight, she would land multiple major roles including a leading part as Shirna in the Doctor Who spin-off Carnival of Monsters. She also played Sid Abbott's secretary in Bless This House alongside Sid James.

But arguably her most well-known role was playing Shirley Johnson in the TV sitcom Citizen Smith between 1977 and 1979, plus her recurring part as Sadie in The Bill between 1984 and 1988. She also secured smaller parts in EastEnders and Within These Walls, and Lucky Feller, where she played David Jason's romantic interest.

The performer also had a small foray into cinema work, taking on a role as Avarice in The Magnificent Seven Deadly Sins and the star-studded pop comedy Three for All. After leaving her acting career behind, she stood as the Labour Party parliamentary candidate for Canterbury in 1997.

In her personal life, Hall was in a relationship with actor and singer Robin Askwith from 1970 to 1973. But a year later, she tied the knot to her co-star Robert Lindsay, with the couple separating in 1980 after six years of marriage.

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