An actress known for her work in Murder, She Wrote and Beauty and The Beast, has sadly died at the age of 96.

Angela Lansbury DBE was born in London and played mystery writer, Jessica Fletcher, in the hit US crime drama series Murder, She Wrote.

The five-time Tony award-winner had a career spanning eight decades and was loved by British and American audiences.

She also made appearances in films in recent years including; Nanny McPhee (2005) and Mary Poppins Returns (2018) 

Her family said in a statement: “The children of Dame Angela Lansbury are sad to announce that their mother died peacefully in her sleep at home in Los Angeles at 1.30am today, Tuesday, October 11, 2022, just five days shy of her 97th birthday.

“In addition to her three children, Anthony, Deirdre and David, she is survived by three grandchildren, Peter, Katherine and Ian, plus five great-grandchildren and her brother, producer Edgar Lansbury.

“She was proceeded in death by her husband of 53 years, Peter Shaw. A private family ceremony will be held at a date to be determined.”

The Northern Echo: Angela Lansbury was made a dame in 2014. Picture: PAAngela Lansbury was made a dame in 2014. Picture: PA (Image: PA)

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Modern Family actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson shared a fond memory of Angela Lansbury after her death age 96.

The Northern Echo: British Irish actress, Dame Angela Lansbury. Picture: PABritish Irish actress, Dame Angela Lansbury. Picture: PA (Image: PA)

“I’ll never forget sitting next to Angela Lansbury at an opening night,” he tweeted.

“Even though I had to pee I refused to leave my seat during intermission. I spent the 15 minutes chatting with her instead.

“She was incredibly lovely and I’m so glad I had that brief time with her. RIP Angela.”

“Saddened to learn of the passing of Dame Angela Lansbury,” Michelle Donelan, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport tweeted.

“An icon of the theatre, a legend of the screen and one of the greatest actors of our time. May she Rest In Peace.”

The Northern Echo: Dame Angela Lansbury on the day she married Peter Shaw in 1949. Picture: PADame Angela Lansbury on the day she married Peter Shaw in 1949. Picture: PA (Image: PA)

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