Rosalind Knight, star of Carry On and Friday Night Dinner, dies aged 87 

‘She will be greatly missed by all who knew her: Veteran actress Rosalind Knight, star of Carry On and Friday Night Dinner, dies aged 87

Veteran actress Rosalind Knight, famed for her roles in Friday Night Dinner and early Carry On Films has died. She was 87.

The London-born TV, film and theatre actress – whose credits also included 1957’s Blue Murder At St Trinian’s and 1980s The Wildcats Of St Trinian’s – passed away on Saturday, according to a statement released by her family.

‘It is with huge sadness that the family of Rosalind Knight announce her death following a glorious career as a well-loved actress in theatre, TV and film,’ they said.

RIP: Veteran actress Rosalind Knight, famed for her roles in Friday Night Dinner and early Carry On Films has died. She was 87

‘She was known to so many generations, for so many different roles, and will be missed as much by the kids today who howl at Horrible Grandma in Friday Night Dinner as by those of us who are old enough to remember her in the very first Carry On films.’

As well as starring in Carry On Teacher and Carry On Nurse in the 1950s, Rosalind was an accomplished stage actress, who made a name for herself opposite Vanessa Redgrave in the 1961 Royal Shakespeare Company production of As You Like It.

Included in her list of film credits are About A Boy (alongside Hugh Grant), Start The Revolution Without Me (opposite Gene Wilder), Tom Jones, The Lady Vanishes, Prick Up Your Ears, and The Lady In The Van.

Credits: The London-born TV, film and theatre actress passed away on Saturday, according to a statement from her family. Pictured second right in 1957's Blue Murder At St Trinian’s

Credits: The London-born TV, film and theatre actress passed away on Saturday, according to a statement from her family. Pictured second right in 1957’s Blue Murder At St Trinian’s

She also drew laughs as retired prostitute Beryl in BBC TV series Gimme, Gimme, Gimme, which ran from 1999 to 2001 and starred Kathy Burke and James Dreyfus.

Rosalind tied the knot with director and producer Michael Elliott in July 1959, with the couple remaining married until his death in 1984.

Their marriage produced two children, theatre director Marianne Elliott and actress Susannah Elliott.

In paying tribute to their mother, they said in a statement that Rosalind would be remembered for her ‘immense spirit and sense of fun, and her utter individuality’.

Comedy: She also drew laughs as retired prostitute Beryl in BBC TV series Gimme, Gimme, Gimme, which ran from 1999 to 2001 and starred Kathy Burke and James Dreyfus

Comedy: She also drew laughs as retired prostitute Beryl in BBC TV series Gimme, Gimme, Gimme, which ran from 1999 to 2001 and starred Kathy Burke and James Dreyfus

They said: ‘Our mother had the most astute, vibrant personality and made people laugh wherever she went. She was a great reader, art lover and raconteur.

‘She contributed in a voluntary way to the theatrical world through her involvement in the building of the Royal Exchange Theatre, alongside her husband Michael Elliott, and her support for the Actors Centre and the Ladies’ Theatrical Guild.

‘She was an active member of her local history society and opera society, and was a fierce campaigner and fundraiser for the Hogarth Trust. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.’

News of Rosalind’s passing comes days after Carry On legend died following a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. She was 83.