Award-winning actress Dame Joan Plowright has died

Award-winning actress Dame Joan Plowright has died at the age of 95.

She starred in The Entertainer, Enchanted April and more recently The Spiderwick Chronicles and documentary Nothing Like A Dame.

"She enjoyed a long and illustrious career across theatre, film and TV over seven decades until blindness made her retire," a family statement said.

"She cherished her last 10 years in Sussex with constant visits from friends and family, filled with much laughter and fond memories."

She died surrounded by her family.

She was also married and widow of Laurence Olivier.

"Joan is survived by her loving family: Tamsin and Wilf, Julie-Kate and Dan, Richard, Shelley, Troy, Ali, Jeremy, step-granddaughter and great granddaughter Kaya and Sophia, and great grand-daughter soon to arrive," the family statement added.

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