Keeping Up Appearances star Josephine Tewson dies aged 91, agent confirms

Josephine Tewson, best-known for her roles in Keeping Up Appearances and Last Of The Summer Wine, has died aged 91, her agent has said.

Ms Tweson died on Thursday night at Denville Hall, a retirement home for actors in Northwood, London.

A statement from her agent, Jean Diamond, of Diamond Management, said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Josephine Tewson.

“Josephine passed away peacefully last night at Denville Hall at the Age of 91.”

Born in Hampstead, London, in 1931, Tewson attended grammar school before enrolling at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (Rada) from which she graduated in 1952.

Minor parts came her way during the 1960s in shows such as Z-Cars and the Charlie Drake Show.

The decade also saw her regularly appear in sketches alongside comedians Ronnie Corbett and Ronnie Barker in Hark At Barker and Frost On Sunday.

She also played Edna Hawkins in the first six series of the ITV sitcom Shelley, which aired during the ’80s and early ’90s.

However, she was best known for playing the pragmatic Elizabeth Warden, neighbour and reluctant confidant of social climbing snob Hyacinth Bucket in the much loved BBC sitcom Keeping Up Appearances.

Roy Clarke was the writer behind the show and he also provided Tewson with her most memorable late career role playing Miss Davenport in Last of the Summer Wine between 2003 and 2010.

In 2012, she launched her one-woman show titled Still Keeping Up Appearances? and toured across the UK.

Former EastEnders actress Debbie Arnold has remembered “comedy great” and Keeping Up Appearances actress Josephine Tewson, after her death aged 91.

Arnold, 67, tweeted: “So sad we lost 2 wonderful people firstly Bruce Montague and now 2 days later – Josephine Tewson.

The wife of late actor John Challis has paid tribute to actress Josephine Tewson after her death was confirmed by her agent.

Carol Challis shared an image of her husband and Tewson starring in British sitcom Last of the Summer Wine, writing: “Farewell to Josephine Tewson. John loved working with her on Last of the Summer Wine. Another one gone.”