EastEnders has rushed to pay tribute after the death of actress Anna Karen in a house fire in London.
Scores of fans have also offered their condolences after it was confirmed that Anna, 85, best known for playing Aunt Sal in the BBC soap, had lost her life in the blaze in Ilford on Tuesday.
Firefighters took less than an hour to get the fire under control, but Anna, whose EastEnders alter ego Sal was Peggy Mitchell's sister from 1996-2017, was pronounced dead at the scene.
A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: ‘Sadly, a woman has died following a house fire on Windsor Road in Ilford.
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‘Part of the ground floor of a mid-terrace house was damaged by fire. Sadly a woman was pronounced dead at the scene."
Reacting to the news, an EastEnders spokesperson said: "We are deeply saddened to hear that Anna Karen has passed away.
"Anna created a sharp, quick witted and extremely popular character in Aunt Sal that the audience will never forget, just as those who worked with her at EastEnders will never forget her warmth, kindness fun and good humour. Our love and thoughts are with Anna’s family and friends."
Aunt Sal was introduced to Albert Square as Peggy's sibling in 1996 and was a regular character util the end of 1997.
Anna, who also appeared in several Carry On films and On The Buses, then reprised the role from 2001 to 2004, again from 2007 to 2011 and then made her last appearance as Sal in January 2017.
