Sherlock star Una Stubbs dies aged 84

Actress Una Stubbs who starred in Sherlock, EastEnders and Till Death Us Do Part died today at the age of 84.

The star, who was born in Hertfordshire in 1937, had a career in film, TV and theatre spanning more than 50 years, including a role as Mrs Hudson in the BBC’s Sherlock with Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman. 

Stubbs, who was also known for her roles in Sir Cliff Richard’s film Summer Holiday as well as Worzel Gummidge and In Sickness And In Health, ‘passed away quietly’ at home in Edinburgh surrounded by her family.

The actress, who was married twice and had three children, had been suffering from an illness for a few months according to her agent, who praised her today as a ‘wonderful actress’ with an ‘extraordinarily varied’ career.

Stubbs, who played Aunt Sally in the 1979 version of Worzel Gummidge alongside Jon Pertwee as Worzel, was also in The Worst Witch, Fawlty Towers, Heartbeat, Midsomer Murders, The Catherine Tate Show and Benidorm. 

Among those paying tribute today was Sherlock creator Steven Moffat, who described Stubbs as ‘just about the kindest, nicest, funniest person you could meet’, and added: ‘The loveliest light on Baker Street has gone out.’ 

Actress Una Stubbs, pictured  at the Royal Academy of Arts in London in June 2014, has died at the age of 84

Una Stubbs played Mrs Hudson in the BBC’s version of Sherlock which ran from 2010 to 2017

Una Stubbs as Aunt Sally in the 1979-1981 version of Worzel Gummidge, alongside Jon Pertwee as Worzel

Una Stubbs as Mrs Hudson in the BBC’s Sherlock, in which she starred with Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman

Una Stubbs played Aunt Sally in the 1979-1981 version of Worzel Gummidge, alongside Jon Pertwee as Worzel and Barbara Windsor as Saucy Nancy

A family statement said: ‘Mum passed away quietly today with her family around her, in Edinburgh. We ask for privacy and understanding at this most difficult and sad of times.’

Her agent Rebecca Blond said: ‘We are desperately sad to have lost not only a wonderful actress, whose screen and stage career, spanning over 50 years, was so extraordinarily varied, from Till Death Us Do Part to Sherlock, as well as memorable performances in the West End, at the Old Vic, Donmar Warehouse, Sheffield Crucible and National Theatre, but also a wickedly funny, elegant, stylish, graceful, gracious and kind and constant friend.

‘She was also a highly respected and exhibited artist. We will miss her enormously and remember her always.’

Summer Holiday helped to make Stubbs’s name alongside Sir Cliff in 1963 and she went on to star in BBC sitcom Till Death Us Do Part and its sequel In Sickness And In Health, playing Rita Rawlings.

Sherlock co-stars Una Stubbs, Benedict Cumberbatch and Lara Pulver arrive for the Specsavers Crime Thriller Awards at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London in October 2012

Stubbs meets Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall at the Royal Academy of Arts to launch the RA250 Friends Membership scheme, at Burlington House in London’s Piccadilly in October 2017

(From left) Stubbs, Kimberley Nixon and Sheila Reid in September 2017, arriving for the UKTV Live new season launch at Claridge’s hotel in London

(From left) Tony Booth, Stubbs, Dandy Nichols, and Warren Mitchell on the set of the BBC comedy Till Death Us Do Part as they rehearse at BBC Television Centre in London for a new series in November 1966

Richard Briers, Warren Mitchell (background) and Una Stubbs sit in the famous car from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang as they pose with the Lord Mayor of London Ian Bowater in October 1970

Stubbs leaps over a bollard at London Heathrow Airport, with the assistance of fellow entertainers Hank Marvin (left) and Sir Cliff Richard (right) in September 1970

In addition to her work as an actress, Stubbs was also a keen amateur painter who had her work displayed at the Royal Academy in London. 

Moffat said of Stubbs: ‘The loveliest light on Baker Street has gone out. What a woman, what a talent, what a star – and just about the kindest, nicest, funniest person you could meet.

‘I don’t know how anyone even starts summing up that career – Till Death Us Do Part, Fawlty Towers, the incomparable Aunt Sally in Worzel Gummidge… and, of course, the irreplaceable heart and soul of Sherlock’.

Happy Valley actress Sarah Lancashire was also among the first to pay tribute to Stubbs, tweeting: ‘Rest in peace, Una Stubbs. Shocked at this news. Such a great actress. Sad news. Thoughts go out to her family and friends.’

Una Stubbs at the London Marriott in Grosvenor Square in July 2019 (left) and The Hospital Club in London in 2018 (right)

Anthony Barclay and Una Stubbs at The Gillian Lynne Theatre in London on July 2, 2019

Una Stubbs and Stephen Bowman from the band Blake at Variety Club’s Tribute to Sir Cliff Richard at the London Marriott Hotel in Grosvenor Square in July 2019

Una Stubbs with her former husband Nicky Henson, pictured together in October 1969. They had two children together

Una Stubbs with Sir Cliff Richard in November 1964. Stubbs was in Sir Cliff’s film Summer Holiday which came out in 1963

EastEnders actress Lucy Benjamin said: ‘Such sad news. Had the honour of being in the stage production of Worzel Gummidge with Una Stubbs in the early 80s and she taught me so much as a child actor and really showed me the way. What a loss.’ 

Hollyoaks actress Jessica Fox added: ‘Very sad to hear the news of Una Stubbs passing. She played Miss Bat in the version of the Worst witch I was part of. I always remember Una as being so kind and caring of the younger cast. 

‘She was very quick, funny and incredibly professional. to this day I think Una was the most effortlessly chic and stylish woman I’ve ever met. I feel very lucky to have worked with her. My thoughts are with her family.’

TV channel Gold also paid tribute as a spokesman said: ‘We’re all deeply saddened to learn that the magnificent Una Stubbs has passed away at the age of 84. Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this sad time.’