The BBC have paid tribute to EastEnders' Mona Hammond following the actress' death aged 91.
The Jamaican-British actress - who starred as Blossom Jackson in the BBC One soap - passed away peacefully in the early hours of Monday morning.
Tributes have since poured in for the star, with many fans reflecting on Mona's seven-decade career.
Paying tribute, a spokesperson for the BBC said: “We are deeply saddened to hear that Mona Hammond has passed away. Mona created a no nonsense grandmother in Blossom Jackson, who was adored by the audience and everyone who worked with her.
"Our love and thoughts are with Mona’s family and friends.”
Mona appeared on the soap for 233 episodes between May 1994 and May 1997.
She also featured in a further two episodes in October 2010 to attend her on-screen great-grandson Billie Jackson's funeral.
As well as her work on EastEnders, Mona was known for playing Susu in Desmond's during the early nineties.
Confirming her passing on Twitter this morning, RADA chair Marcus Ryder shared: "It is with sadness that I wake up to the news Mona Hammond has died. Among her numerous achievements she co-founded Talawa Theatre Company in 1985.
"She was also a@RADA_London graduate and received an honorary RADA Fellowship in 2019."
Loose Women presenter Charlene White was quick to share her condolences on Twitter, writing: "Mona Hammond, a trailblazer in every way. Thank-you."
Mona was best known to soap fans for her time spent in Albert Square playing Blossom Jackson, matriarch of the Jackson clan.
Playing Blossom was actually Mona's second stint on the soap, having first appeared on EastEnders playing the minor part of Michelle Fowler's midwife in 1986.
The much-loved actress was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2005 Queen's Birthday Honours List.
She is survived by her son and a granddaughter.
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