Entertainment
Una Stubbs death: Martin Freeman says Sherlock was ‘fortunate to have’ actress as she dies aged 84
Martin Freeman said that he and Una Stubbs bonded over being ‘naughty’. (Picture: PA/Rex)
Martin Freeman has paid tribute to Una Stubbs following her death, saying that Sherlock was ‘fortunate to have’ the illustrious actress.
Earlier this week, it was announced that Stubbs had died at the age of 84, surrounded by her family at her home in Edinburgh.
Stubbs, who had starring roles in series including Worzel Gummidge and EastEnders, starred in Sherlock as Mrs Hudson, the landlady of Sherlock Holmes (Benedict Cumberbatch) and Dr John Watson (Freeman).
In a statement, Freeman paid tribute to his Sherlock co-star, saying she was ‘brilliant to be around, personally and professionally’.
‘She loved laughing. She loved clothes. She always looked good,’ he said, adding that she was ‘very naughty, which is something she and I bonded over immediately’.
‘You kind of forgot how old she actually was, because she possessed the energy and outlook of eternal youth, full of love, vitality and fun,’ he stated.
Stubbs died surrounded by her family (Picture: PA)
The actor described Stubbs as being ‘fantastic at her job, and much respected’, expressing his admiration for the way she transitioned in her career from being a dancer to becoming an actor and presenter.
‘She was also pretty mean with a paint brush. Una was quite something,’ he said.
Freeman recalled speaking to Stubbs on the set of Sherlock about her time on the sitcom Till Death Us Do Part, learning that the actress felt ‘out of her depth’.
‘I think that humility was part of what made her so good, and so loved,’ The Hobbit star said.
‘When she was on the set of Sherlock, it all felt a bit lighter. I’m pretty sure I can speak for everyone on that.’
Cumberbatch paid tribute to Stubbs in a statement sent to Metro.co.uk on Thursday, saying that she was ‘a wonderful, talented, stylish, gentle, joyous and honest friend, in addition to being ‘a joy to work with, to laugh with and to make laugh’.
Sherlock co-creator Steven Moffatt also shared some heartfelt words about the actress, writing in a social media post: ‘What a woman, what a talent, what a star – and just about the kindest, nicest, funniest person you could meet.’
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Stubbs rose to prominence when was cast as Rita on Till Death Us Do Part in 1966, a character she portrayed until 1975 and reprised in Till Death… and the sequel In Sickness and In Health.
Other productions she worked on included Midsomer Murders, The Catherine Tate Show, Call The Midwife, Benidorm and The Worst Witch.
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