Peak Practice and The Crown actress Haydn Gwynne has died

20 October 2023 , 12:20

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Peak Practice and The Crown actress Haydn Gwynne dies aged 66

Actress Haydn Gwynne, best known for her roles The Crown, Drop the Dead Donkey and Peak Practice, has died at the age of 66.

In a statement on Friday, actress' agent announced: "It is with great sadness we are sharing with you that, following her recent diagnosis with cancer, the star of stage and screen Haydn Gwynne died in hospital in the small hours of Friday 20 October, surrounded by her beloved sons, close family and friends. We would like to thank the staff and teams at the Royal Marsden and Brompton Hospitals for their wonderful care over the last few weeks."

The actress starred in Billy Elliot the Musical in the role of Billy's dance teacher in both the West End and on Broadway. She was also nominated for a Tony Award. Other theatre roles include playing Margaret Thatcher in The Audience. Haydn was meant to make a return to the stage in September but couldn't when she was diagnosed with cancer.

She died at the age of 66 (Dave Benett/Getty Images)

Haydn played Camilla in The Windsors (Channel 4)

The Sussex-born actress studied sociology at the University of Nottingham and later took a five-year lectureship in Italy at the University of Rome La Sapienza where she taught English as a foreign language. The star lived in London with her partner Jason Phipps, and their two sons.

Haydn became an actress in her mid-twenties and her first big television role was playing feminist lecturer Dr Robyn Penrose in the BBC mini-series Nice Work in 1989. One year later, she landed her first big comedy role in Drop the Dead Donkey. She starred as Alex Pates in the comedy.

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Fans also know her from the 1991 Children's ITV sci-fi series Time Riders and Peak Practice where she played Dr Joanna Graham. Her character was written out of the show after two series. Dr Graham was fatally shot while intervening in a conflict between a man and his daughter.

Haydn as Dr Joanna Graham in Peak Practice (Carlton Television)

Haydn had many iconic roles over the year (Channel 4)

In 2001, she starred in Merseyboat and, one year later, she starred in BBC's The Secret. Other huge roles include playing Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall in The Windsors and Susan Hussey in the fifth series of Netflix's The Crown. She made appearances in Silent Witness and Death in Paradise.

Haydn had many roles in theatre productions, including Hedda Gabler, Way Of The World, and many Royal Shakespeare Company productions. The actress won a Drama Desk Award, an Outer Critics Circle Award and a Theatre World Award for her role in Billy Elliot the Musical.

She was also nominated for a Tony Award for the same role while receiving two Laurence Olivier nods for her roles in Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown and The Threepenny Opera. Following the news of her death, fans rushed to social media to pay tribute to the star.

"Completely shocked and very sad to hear of the untimely passing of Haydn Gwynne," one person said. "Original Mrs Wilks in @BillyElliotUK, wonderful actress and a lovely person. I saw her in Bake Off just a few months ago, and she was characteristically brilliant."

A second added: "Terribly sad to hear of the death of Haydn Gwynne. A wonderful actress. Far too young. 66. RIP," while one said: "Just heard the devastating news that Haydn Gwynne has died. A fine actress, a great singer and a wonderful dancer. My sincerest condolences to her husband Jason and her children. #RIPHaydnGwynne."

Amy Denman