[Smithy]

[Shaun]

https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebri...peaky-23926944

Helen McCrory has died unexpectedly at the age of 52.

The talented British actress, who starred as Peaky Blinders matriarch Aunt Polly and as Clair Dowar in the 2012 James Bond film Skyfall, died suddenly.

In a heartbreaking statement confirming her death, her husband Damian Lewis wrote: "I'm heartbroken to announce that after a heroic battle with cancer, the beautiful and mighty woman that is Helen McCrory has died peacefully as home, surrounded bya. wave of love from friends and family."

He added: "She died as she lived. Fearlessly. God we love her and know how lucky we are to have had her in our lives. She blazed so brightly. Go now, Little One, into the air, and thank you."

Helen had been married to fellow actor Damian since 2007 and shared two children with him - daughter Manon, 14, and 13-year-old son Gulliver.

Her last public appearance was on March 12's episode of Good Morning Britain, in which she and Homeland star Damian spoke about their charity work.

She sparked questions from fans at the time after Kate Garraway pointed out she sounded croaky-voiced.

"Are you alright, Helen? You sound a bit croaky. Have you got a sore throat?" the host asked.

Helen quickly quipped back: "I've got children!"

Along with her charity work - she and Damian raised more than £1million for Feed NHS at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic - Helen was also famous for her body of TV and film work.

She'd originally been cast as Bellatrix Lestrange in the Harry Potter films, but had to pull out when she first fell pregnant. The role went to Helena Bonham Carter instead, but Helen was later cast as Bellatrix's sister Narcissa Malfoy for the Deathly Hallows Part 1 and Part 2 films.

She'd appeared in The Count Of Monte Cristo, 2005's Casanova and The Woman In Black: Angel Of Death.

But it was her portrayal of Cherie Blair in 2006's The Queen that catapulted her to household name status, after years of treading the boards with her theatre work.

Helen was awarded an OBE in the 2017 honours list for services to drama.

[Cherie]

No way I saw her interviewed with her husband a few weeks ago

RIP

[LeatherTrumpet]

wtf

[parmnion]

Sad news, she was a fantastic actor.

[rusticgal]

Such a shock...so sad.

[hijaxers]

So shocked , i had no idea she had been battling cancer , very sad news

R.I.P

[LaLaLand]

A really fantastic actress. RIP.

[Kate!]

RIP to a very talented actress.

[bitontheslide]

she was great in Peaky, and i didn't realise she was married to the chap that had a big role in the first homeland series

[Niamh.]

Oh no, I loved her in Peaky Blinders

[arista]

Had to be Cancer, again


She will be missed.

[arista]

[GoldHeart]

Sad news
R.I.P
Cancer again cruel disease.

[arista]

Husband and Wife 2012

[Damian Lewis and Helen McCrory at the
64th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards
in Los Angeles in September 2012]

[LeatherTrumpet]

heartbreaking

[smudgie]

What a shock. So unexpected.
A very talented actress. One of my favourites.
R.I.P.

[arista]

[Ammi]

...so terribly sad, another family devastated by a despicably cruel disease...**** cancer....it’s so destroying in so many ways...


...such a legacy of movies and characters she portrayed in the roles I’ve seen her in, she always completely held attention... she played Mama Jeanne in Hugo and was perfectly cast...just heart wrenching what her family will have been through since her diagnosis...very, very sad....

...Helen McCrory......

[AnnieK]

So sad to read this. Her husband's message was so full of love too. Great actress but her children are her legacy and to lose their mum so yoing is devastating.

RiP

[Cherie]

Youtube video

Think this is the last series I saw her in

[Ammi]

‘Very few people knew’: Friend reveals Helen McCrory’s secret cancer battle...


Helen McCrory “swore friends to secrecy” as she underwent gruelling treatment for cancer.

The Peaky Blinders actress told “very, very few people” about her diagnosis and carried on with her charity work just a few weeks before her death aged 52.

Carrie Cracknell, who directed Ms McCrory in a state production of Medea, said the actress didn’t want her illness overshadowing her family and professional life.

Speaking on BBC’s Today programme Ms Cracknell said: “Helen wanted to be very private about her illness and I understand why. When you live in the public spotlight you have to find space to protect the things that are just for you.


...full article...

https://uk.yahoo.com/news/very-few-p...102156260.html