Sheila Bernette, the beloved actress known for her portrayal of Sister Delaney in Coronation Street during the 1970s, has passed away at the age of 94.
The announcement of her death was made earlier today, prompting an outpouring of tributes from the entertainment industry.
Born Sheila Poncini, the performer enjoyed a remarkable career spanning several decades in British television.
Beyond her memorable stint on the ITV soap, Ms Bernette became a familiar face on the BBC variety programme Good Old Days, where she appeared regularly from 1968 until 1983.
Shelia Bernette has died at 94
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Her fifteen-year association with the nostalgic music hall show cemented her status as a versatile entertainer capable of both dramatic and comedic performances.
Throughout her distinguished career, Bernette collaborated with some of the most celebrated names in British comedy and entertainment.
She worked extensively with Sir David Jason, sharing the screen with the comedy icon during her prolific years in television.
The legendary double act Morecambe and Wise counted among her professional collaborators, as did the incomparable Tommy Cooper.
Tributes have poured in for Shelia Bernette
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Her work also brought her into contact with Dick Emery, the sketch comedian renowned for his character work, and Leslie Crowther, with whom she appeared in the 1970 London Palladium pantomime Aladdin alongside Cilla Black and Alfred Marks.
This impressive roster of collaborators speaks to Ms Bernette's standing within the theatrical community and her ability to hold her own alongside the era's greatest comedic talents.
The Royal Variety Charity released a statement honouring the late actress, which read: "Sheila will be very much missed by many of those who worked with her and those from the wider theatrical family."
Actor Peter Kosta, a close friend of Ms Bernette, shared fond recollections of the performer who once offered him accommodation.
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"I was looking for digs, and Sheila said: 'Well, if you're clean, I have a spare room in my house,'" Kosta recalled.
"She always supported me in everything that I wanted to do, and always came to see me in everything I did, whenever she could. I have extremely fond memories of her."
Kosta revealed he had visited her not long before her passing, spending nearly two hours reminiscing together.
He described her as "very funny" and "very feisty".
Younger audiences may best remember Bernette for her portrayal of Mrs Poshington in the CBBC series Hotel Trubble, a character described as a hotel guest who perpetually refuses to leave.
She appeared in the children's programme from 2008 until 2011, introducing her talents to an entirely new generation of viewers.
Her screen work extended to the British edition of Candid Camera, showcasing her comedic timing in an unscripted format.
The actress also built a notable filmography, with credits including Three For All, Car Trouble and Driving Aphrodite.
The latter marked her final appearance on the big screen in 2009, bringing to a close a career that had spanned decades and encompassed television, film and live theatre.