Comedian Victoria Wood dies at 62

Wood died at home in London surrounded by her family. The popular entertainer, who also wrote and directed, was 62.

Her publicist, Neil Reading, said: “Victoria Wood has sadly passed away, after a short but brave battle with cancer.”

‘Unfillable void’

Wood’s long-term manager and friend, Phil McIntyre, said: “Victoria has been a part of our lives as a friend, devoted mother and national treasure for 30 years. She was always modest, generous and undemanding. A super person and a super and unique talent. There will be an unfillable void left on all levels and we will miss her deeply.”

Wood was well known for her comedy series Victoria Wood: As Seen On TV, as well as her role in sitcom Dinnerladies and her TV special Victoria Wood With All The Trimmings.

In 2006, she won two Bafta awards for acting and writing for her drama Housewife, 49, an adaptation of the diaries of Nella Last. In 1997, she was made an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours and was then made a CBE in 2008.

Wood, who got her showbusiness break as a winner on New Faces, won two other Baftas earlier in her career, both for best light entertainment performance. The first was for Victoria Wood: As Seen On TV in 1986 and An Audience With Victoria Wood in 1989.

Victoria Wood As Seen On TV also won the Bafta for best entertainment programme in 1986, 1987 and 1988, while An Audience With Victoria Wood won the same award in 1989. She received a special Bafta tribute award in 2005.

Comedy

Wood’s live comedy was often interspersed with her own compositions and she frequently played the piano. She also composed and performed the theme music for Dinnerladies.

David Cameron described her as a “national treasure loved by millions”. Wood’s fellow comedians were also quick to pay their respects on social media.

Rory Bremner wrote: “No. NO. This is too much. Now lovely, warm, funny, brilliantly talented Victoria Wood has gone. Words, songs, plays, she wrote the lot. So sad.”

Jack Dee tweeted: “I feel privileged to have known and worked with the great Victoria Wood. Unique and truly brilliant,” while Ricky Gervais wrote: “RIP the brilliant Victoria Wood. So innovative, funny and down to earth. This has not been a good year.”