Representatives of beloved actress Emma Chambers have confirmed that the TV star has died of natural causes.
Emma was best known for playing Alice Tinker in the Vicar of Dibley alongside Dawn French, and she also starred in Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts blockbuster, Notting Hill.
Her representatives confirmed: “We are very sad to announce the untimely death, from natural causes, of the acclaimed actress, Emma Chambers.
“Over the years, Emma created a wealth of characters and an immense body of work. She brought laughter and joy to many, and will be greatly missed.
“At this difficult time we ask that the privacy of the family and loved ones be respected.”
Many stars who worked with her over the years took to Twitter to offer their condolences.
Writer Emma Freud, the wife of The Vicar Of Dibley’s creator, Richard Curtis wrote: “Our beautiful friend Emma Chambers has died at the age of 53.
“We’re very very sad. She was a great, great comedy performer, and a truly fine actress. And a tender, sweet, funny, unusual, loving human being.”
Emma later added a YouTube clip from Vicar of Dibley, writing: “How could you not love this girl. Emma Chambers… thank you for the brilliance.”
Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson also tweeted about the news, writing: “I’m sad about Emma Chambers. Knew her when she was a kid in Doncaster. She was very funny.”
Actor James Dreyfus, who starred with Emma on Notting Hill, wrote: “RIP the wonderful and talented Emma Chambers. Unique,& unspeakably funny. Too young. Thoughts with her family. X
TV presenter Jodie Marsh also tweeted, writing: “Such terribly sad news about Emma Chambers. Notting Hill is one of my favourite films of all time and she is so stunningly superb in it.
“That film makes me laugh & cry, as does her performance in it. RIP Emma”.
Vicar of Dibley ran from 1994 to 2007, and won numerous award. It returned for a special episode for Comic Relief in 2015.
For many, the closing credits, where Geraldine Granger told Alice a joke she didn’t get, was the best part of the show.
She will be deeply missed.
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