`Everyone felt they knew Dame Thora'

Mar 17 2003 By Ed Reed, The Huddersfield Daily Examiner

TRIBUTES have poured in to actress Dame Thora Hird, who died at the weekend.

Best known as gossiping Aunt Edie Pegden in Last of the Summer Wine, Dame Thora suffered a stroke eight days ago.

Her death was announced by her agent, Felix de Wolfe, on Saturday.

In a career spanning 90 years, Dame Thora appeared alongside Marlon Brando, Laurence Olivier and Alan Bates.

"She is the finest actress I have ever worked with," said Summer Wine producer Alan J W Bell.

He visited her at Brinsworth House in south-west London, a retirement home for actors, after she fell ill. "It was a joy to work with her," he said.

"Everyone felt that they knew her through her work," said Mr de Wolfe. "Britain has lost one of its true, original stars."

Chat show host Michael Parkinson praised her work, saying: "Dame Thora was a wonderful old lady. As an actor she had few equals."

Alan Yentob, the BBC's director of entertainment and children's programmes, commented: "Dame Thora was a national treasure. She was universally admired and adored by the British public - and rightly so."

Tributes have poured into Huddersfield from around the world.