TV star Patricia Brake has sadly died at the age of 79 after a long battle with cancer, her family has said.
The actress had a successful career spanning 60 years that saw her play notable roles in soaps such as Coronation Street, Emmerdale and EastEnders.
However, she was perhaps best known for her role opposite 'dad' Ronnie Barker in Porridge in the 1970s, The Mirror writes.
Patricia's son Jon McBain broke the tragic news on Twitter, stating: "I can confirm that my mother, the actress Patricia Brake, died earlier today at the age of 79 after a long battle with cancer."
In a statement, her agent Scott Marshall Partners added: “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 Barker’s on-screen daughter Ingrid Fletcher in BBC sitcom Porridge in the 1970s.
She 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.
Born in Bath, Brake studied at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and joined the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1962, where she played Hermia in Peter Hall’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, alongside Dame Judi Dench and Dame Diana Rigg.
Fans were quick to pay tribute to the actress and comedy star on Twitter.
One wrote: "Goodnight Patricia Brake. For millions always Eldorado's troubled Gwen Lockhead or flighty Ingrid, Fletch's daughter, in Porridge among others. A veteran of tv drama and comedy. RIP."
Another tweeted: "Just hearing sad news that actress Patricia Brake has passed aged 79. A fine and long career and always remembered with affection as Ronnie Barker's daughter, Ingrid Fletcher, in Porridge and sequel Going Straight."
A third said: "Very sad news for classic TV fans. Farewell to #PatriciaBrake , a fine actor with a gift for comedy: "our Ingrid" to #RonnieBarker's "Dad" in #Porridge."
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