Sitcom star Josephine Tewson dies aged 91

Friday 19th August 2022, 4:13pm

Josephine Tewson

Actress Josephine Tewson has died. She was 91.

Born in London on 26th February 1931, she is best known as nervous neighbour Elizabeth in the iconic, global hit 1990s' sitcom Keeping Up Appearances.

Amongst a myriad of other comedy roles, she also featured as landlady Mrs. Hawkins in the acclaimed sitcom Shelley; was a semi-regular in the final decade of Last Of The Summer Wine; starred alongside John Inman in Odd Man Out; and was regular female support in long-running sketch series The Dick Emery Show.

Clarence. Image shows from L to R: Clarence Sale (Ronnie Barker), Jane Travers (Josephine Tewson). Copyright: BBC

Tewson was also a favourite of actor and writer Ronnie Barker, appearing alongside him in a range of television comedies, including David Frost On Sunday, His Lordship Entertains, Hark At Barker, Clarence, and featuring in various episodes of The Two Ronnies.

From north London, Tewson studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. From 1958 to 1961 she was married to Leonard Rossiter.

Her second husband, Henry Newman, died in 1980. She had no children.

In a statement, her agent Jean Diamond said: "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Josephine Tewson.

"Josephine passed away peacefully last night at Denville Hall at the age of 91."

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