Sylvia Syms: Veteran British actress dies at 89

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Syms was a highly versatile actress who was seen in both gritty dramas and comedies

British actress Sylvia Syms, a star of stage and screen for six decades, has died at the age of 89.

She shot to fame in the 1950s in Ice Cold in Alex, and was nominated for Bafta Awards for Woman in a Dressing Gown and No Trees in the Street.

Later, she was in TV shows like Peak Practice and EastEnders, and in 1991 played the former prime minister in ITV's Thatcher: The Final Days.

In 2006, she played the Queen Mother in The Queen opposite Dame Helen Mirren.

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Syms (right) was a memorable Queen Mother in the Oscar-winning The Queen

A statement from her children, Beatie and Ben Edney, said: "Our mother, Sylvia, died peacefully this morning.

"She has lived an amazing life and gave us joy and laughter right up to the end. Just yesterday we were reminiscing together about all our adventures. She will be so very missed."

They also thanked the staff at Denville Hall, a care home in London for those in the entertainment industry, for "the truly excellent care they have taken of our Mum over the past year".