Vicar of Dibley actress Emma Chambers died of a suspected heart attack, a friend has revealed. Jon Plowman, a former BBC executive producer, opened up about the death on BBC Radio 4 this morning.
Read more: Tributes flood in for Vicar of Dibley actress Emma Chambers who has died aged 53
“It’s no age to have a heart attack, as I understand it,” he said.
“Emma was a gifted comic actress who made any part she played look easy,” he continued. “She was adored by the cast and crew.”
The 53-year-old was most known for her appearance as Alice Tinker in the iconic BBC comedy series.
Her death was announced by her agents several days after her death, believed to be February 21, and prompted an outpouring of love from her co-stars and friends.
Agent John Grant paid tribute to her skills, saying: “Emma created a wealth of characters and an immense body of work. She brought laughter and joy to many.”
Producer Emma Freud tweeted: “Our beautiful friend Emma Chambers has died at the age of 53. We’re very very sad. She was a great, great comedy performer, and a truly fine actress. And a tender, sweet, funny, unusual, loving human being.”
Hugh Grant, who starred with Emma in hit film Notting Hill, tweeted a tribute, saying: “Emma Chambers was a hilarious and very warm person and of course a brilliant actress. Very sad news.”
Emma’s Vicar of Dibley co-star, Dawn French, shared a photo of the pair together on the set of the sitcom.
“I was regularly humped like this by the unique & beautiful spark that was Emma Chambers,” she said. “I never minded. I loved her. A lot.”
She opened up about her friend further to The Mirror, saying: “Emma was a very bright spark and the most loyal and loving friend anyone could wish for.
“I will miss her very much.”
Emma is survived by her husband, Ian Dunn.