Actress Judy Loe has died from stage 4 cancer, in the arms of her daughter, Kate Beckinsale.
Born Judith Margaret Loe in Urmston, Manchester, her filmography includes iconic shows like Z Cars, Dixon of Dock Green and Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life.
The former Urmston Grammar School pupil was in the original British cast of the rock musical Hair, making her TV debut in the 1970s in Ace of Wands, appearing in 26 episodes of the ITV series.
She met Richard Beckinsale, the future star of Porridge and Rising Damp at Crewe repertory in the late 60s. Their daughter, Kate Beckinsale was born in 1973 and they married in 1977. Richard Beckinsale died in 1979, aged just 31.
“I don’t want to post this. I am only posting this because I have had to register my mother‘s death certificate and it will soon become public record,” Kate Beckinsale wrote on social media.
“She died the night of July 15th in my arms after immeasurable suffering. I have not picked all the best photos, nor the best videos, because I cannot bear to go through my camera roll yet. I deeply apologise to any of her friends who are finding out this way or through the press, but I cannot go through her phone . I am paralysed. Jude was the compass of my life ,the love of my life, my dearest friend. The vastness and huge heart of this tiny woman has touched so many people who love her dearly.She has been brave in so many ways, forgiving sometimes too much , believing in the ultimate good in people and the world is so dim without her that it is nearly impossible to bear . Mama, I love you so much. This has been my greatest fear since finding my father dead at five and I am here. Oh my Mama.. I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. I am so sorry.”
Loe’s acting credits span decades and some of the highlights include appearing in Couples in the 1970s, as well as Goodnight and God Bless, and Boon. In the late 80s and 90s, she starred as Pamela in the sitcom Singles and more recently appeared in 33 episodes of Casualty and Holby City as Holby’s Chief Executive.
Her final TV appearance was in the Netflix and Quay Street Productions hit, Fool Me Once.
The 78-year-old was diagnosed with cancer 2 years ago and her death comes just 18 months after the passing of her second husband, the television director, Roy Battersby
[Images – Kate Beckinsale/Instagram]
