Waterloo Road actor Lorraine Chesire has died aged 65, her partner has confirmed.
The late soap star’s partner John Dixon wrote on Facebook: ‘The love of my life passed away 46 years ago this morning and now my heart is broken. To the green fields beyond’, in an emotional message.
After starting in the TV show The Cops in 1999, she went on to star in Holby City, Early Doors and Life On Mars.
In 2007, she joined Waterloo Road as Fleur Budgen, appearing in several episodes over the course of five years.
In recent years she has starred in the Channel 4 series Ackley Bridge as Lorraine Bird and in the hit comedy Trollied as Sue. Her last project before her death was a short film called Incompatible, in which she played the character Pauline.
Other credits include Casualty, Early Doors and The Royal.
Her Early Doors co-star Christine Bottomley shared an image of a lit candle, a glass of brandy and a Coca-Cola on her Instagram Story with the caption: “No words today.”
Another industry friend, Anthony Crank, said: “I have just heard the devastating news that the beautiful Lorraine has passed away. One of the kindest, funniest, beautiful and caring souls I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.
“My heart goes out to John and all who knew her. This week is horrible, just hell on earth. Give your loved ones the biggest push tonight. REST IN POWER, ABSOLUTE QUEEN.”
“Lozza, thank you for being a friend to me. I will miss you so much. I am shocked and so sad. You were one of a kind. Rest in peace’
Fans also shared their own tributes to the British movie star.
‘I loved Lorraine in EARLY DOORS. Absolutely brilliant [in] Trollied and Waterloo Road. What an actress. A great loss,” said Mikepriestley13.
“A warm and versatile actress, for me she is best remembered for Waterloo Road and Ackley Bridge,” added Antony Corrigan.
“You truly were such a kind, warm soul… and were thinking of your entire family at this heartbreaking time. Good night,” Charlotte Cresswell posted.
Born in Wythenshawe in Manchester, Cheshire began her acting career at the age of 38 and graduated from drama school a few years later.
“Yes, it was hard with all those kids there, but after about a year I got used to it, stuck with it and got through it,” she once said about how she would start later in life and credit her husband for “encouraging” her.
She described her first TV job as a ‘baptism by fire’.
‘The director had to say to me, “Lorraine, honey, you don’t have to shout. We have a microphone!” I was so embarrassed, but he said don’t worry; you learn as you go. It was really learning on the job and that’s what acting is,” she said at the time.
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