Actress Patricia Brake has died after a long cancer battle, it has been announced. The 79-year-old will probably be best known for playing Ronnie Barker's on-screen daughter in sitcom Porridge.
The soap stalwart also played recurring roles in Coronation Street, EastEnders, and Emmerdale across a career spanning six decades. In a statement on Twitter, her agent Scott Marshall Partners confirmed the sad news of her death.
It read: “It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our client and well-loved stage and TV actress, Patricia Brake, at the age of 79, after a very long battle with cancer."
Brake became well-known after playing Norman Stanley Fletcher's daughter Ingrid Fletcher in BBC sitcom Porridge in the 1970s. She later reprised the role in Going Straight, alongside cast members Richard Beckinsale and Nicholas Lyndhurst.
Over the years, Brake worked with world-renowned comedians Barker and Ronnie Corbett, known as The Two Ronnies, along with duo Eric Morecambe and Ernie Wise. Throughout her career other TV roles included ITV’s Manhunt, The Glums and Midsomer Murders, as well as the BBC’s Doctors, Holby City and Casualty.
Corrie fans may remember her for playing Viv Baldwin in the ITV soap. She was the mother of Danny Baldwin and arrived in Weatherfield in July 2005. following her husband Harry's death. However, she later revealed to her brother-in-law Mike Baldwin that he was in fact Danny's biological father, not Harry.
Brake had three children, Hannah, Jon and Angus. Her son, Jon McBain, announced the news of her passing on Twitter on Sunday (May 29). He said: I can confirm that my mother, the actress Patricia Brake, died earlier today at the age of 79 after a long battle with cancer. #patriciabrake."
Tributes have since been pouring in. @MaggieHope19 said: "Jon McBain Very sorry to hear that. A British treasure for sure." @dellyinrowley wrote: "So sorry to hear that. Please accept my condolences from a fan of many sitcoms she was in."
