Actress, journalist and writer Kate Saunders, known for playing police officer Sandra in Only Fools and Horses, has died aged 62. Tributes have flowed for the "brilliant" Kate since her sister Louisa Saunders confirmed the sad news yesterday (April 24).
Kate appeared in a number of TV shows in the 1970s and 1980s including Angels, ITV's Playhouse, A Family Affair, and Just Good Friends. She made a name for herself through her role as Sandra, who dated Rodney Trotter, in the early Only Fools and Horses episode The Long Legs of the Law in 1982.
She went on to pen a numerous novels and children's books after winning the Betty Trask Award for her first work The Prodigal Father in 1986. Kate also wrote for newspapers and magazines including the Sunday Times, Daily Telegraph, Sunday Express, She and Cosmopolitan, reported The Mirror.
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On Twitter, Louisa shared a link to an obituary of her sister by Kate's friend and fellow author Amanda Craig. Louisa wrote: "My sister, who we lost last Friday. The warmest, bravest, most generous, and most brilliant woman I will ever know. Heaven knows how we will live without her."
The official Only Fools and Horses account has also tweeted a tribute. It read: "We are sorry to learn of the passing of Kate Saunders, who played policewoman Sandra in the episode The Long Legs of the Law in 1982. In addition to her acting career, Kate was an award-winning novelist, journalist and critic. Our thoughts are with her family."
Book publisher Faber tweeted: "We are extremely saddened by the death of our beloved author, Kate Saunders. Our thoughts are with her family at this difficult time. Kate was a sensational author and a National Treasure. Brilliantly funny, gracious, compassionate, she will be greatly missed by us all.
Fans have also shared tributes on social media following the news of Kate's death. Sara Lilley wrote: "So sad, so young. A loss of a brilliant woman and an amazing talent. You will be missed Kate Saunders."
David Sim commented: "I felt Sandra was the first intelligent woman character in Only Fools, something that John Sullivan really struggled to write before she came along. Kate Saunders did so much with what little screentime she had to bring Sandra to glorious life. She will be sorely missed."
Clara Vulliamy posted: "So sorry to read that Kate Saunders has died. I remember her as formidably intelligent and tremendous fun." Professor Amanda Vickery added: "A lovely appreciation here of a woman I remember as compelling, articulate, witty, naughty & dashing."
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