EastEnders star Mona Hammond has died aged 91.
Ms Hammond was best known for playing Blossom Jackson in EastEnders, while she also starred in comedy show Desmond's.
Sharing the news on Twitter, Royal Academy Of Dramatic Arts (RADA) chair Marcus Ryder said: "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.
Mona Hammond
BBC
"She was also a RADA graduate and received an honorary RADA Fellowship in 2019."
Ms Hammond arrived onto the EastEnders scene as Blossom in 1994, remaining in the role until 1997.
She returned in 2010 to feature in two further episodes.
Before her television career, Ms Hammond appeared in productions such as Macbeth and Josephine House.
She also spent two years at the Royal National Theatre, where she featured in further plays including included Fuente Ovejuna and Peer Gynt.
Former EastEnders actress Cheryl Fergison led tributes to Ms Hammond, describing her as an “inspiration”.
She wrote on Instagram: “What a wonderful actress and pioneering woman, RIP Mona Hammond 91 fantastic years of inspiration.”
Loose Women presenter Charlene White wrote: “Mona Hammond, a trailblazer in every way. Thank you.”