Anna Karen has been killed in a house fire in east London.
The EastEnders and On the Buses star died in the horror blaze after firefighters rushed to the scene around 10.30pm last night (Tuesday).
Crews battled the flames on the ground floor of a terraced house in Ilford and had the blaze under control within an hour.
Sadly the much loved actress had died by then, reports the Mirror.
The 85-year-old was best known for her role in iconic 70s comedy On The Buses.
She also appeared in EastEnders as Aunt Sal, the sister of Peggy Mitchell, played by Barbara Windsor.
Confirming the tragic news, Anna's family friend told Mail Online: "We are absolutely horrified at the news about Anna."
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson added: "Sadly, a woman has died following a house fire on Windsor Road in Ilford.
"Part of the ground floor of a mid-terrace house was damaged by fire.
"Sadly a woman was pronounced dead at the scene.
"The Brigade was called at 2240 and the fire was under control by 2338. Three fire engines and around 20 firefighters from Ilford and Barking fire stations attended the incident. The cause of the fire is under investigation."
The actress was born in Durban, South Africa as Ann McCall to her Irish father and an English mother.
During her youth, Anna appeared in productions in South Africa before moving to London aged 17.
Having had a passion for acting and performing from a very young age, she enrolled in The London School of Dramatic Art once she arrived in the UK.
As well as a long career in film and television, she was also a theatre star.
Anna appeared in numerous pantomimes across the country.
The actress last appeared on the BBC One soap EastEnders in January 2017.
Anna's character, Aunt Sal, fast became a favourite among fans thanks to her no-nonsense nature and witty one-liners.
