GRANGE Hill star Cleo Sylvestre has died at age 79.
Sylvestre had also appeared in the Channel 5 reboot of All Creatures Great and Small.
She featured in TV series including The Bill, New Tricks, Till Death Do Us Part, Doctors, Coronation Street and Doctor Who.
Sylvestre was known for being the first black actress to take on a leading role at the National Theatre and in the UK soap opera Crossroads.
Fulcrum Talent, her agents, told BBC News: “Much-loved and admired by her peers, she will be remembered as a trail blazer and a true friend.
“She will be sorely missed by so many. We ask that you respect the privacy of her family at this difficult time.”
Sylvestre also released a version of To Know Him is to Love Him in 1964 during a brief singing career.
The track fetured The Rolling Stones as backing vocals.
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