Cheryl Hall, the actress best known for her roles in Citizen Smith and Doctor Who, has died aged 76. Her former partner, actor Robin Askwith, announced the news on X, leading tributes.
Robin Askwith leads tributes
Askwith wrote of Hall: "What a force of nature she was… A really innovative working.class charismatic actress coming out of the late 60s. Brave in every way. And now I have the sad news she has passed away… I am devastated…she was my beginning… RIP Cheryl Hall"
Hall began her screen career in 1970 at age 20, appearing as Red Hat Girl in Deep End, which also starred Jane Asher and Diana Dors. She went on to feature in several of the UK's best-known TV programmes.
Doctor Who and Citizen Smith roles
Hall was on the final shortlist of three contenders to play Jo Grant in Doctor Who, but the role went to Katy Manning. However, in a four-part serial in 1973, she played Shirna, assistant to a space-travelling showman. She also played Sadie in 12 episodes of The Bill and Christine in several 1988 episodes of EastEnders.
Her biggest role was Shirley Johnson in Citizen Smith, playing the girlfriend of Robert Lindsay's Wolfie Smith from 1977 to 1979. By then, Hall and Lindsay had been married for three years, having wed in 1974 and divorced in 1980 when he began dating Diana Weston.
Political career and fan tributes
Besides acting, Hall was a Labour party member. She stood as parliamentary candidate for Canterbury in the 1997 general election, a seat won by Conservative MP Julian Brazier. She later served on Kent County Council, holding the position of Leader of the Labour group for a time.
Fans reacted with sadness to the news. One said: "Oh no, how sad. I used to work with her mum in the early 80s. RIP Cherly." Another wrote: "Really sad news. Sending condolences to you and her friends and family." A third added: "Unbelievable. So sad, what an absolutely beautiful woman. I've just recently been watching her back on TV on a rerun of The Lucky Feller with David Jason. Super talented and will be sadly missed." Another posted: "Really sad news, I grew up watching her in Citizen Smith. She will forever be Shirl. Bless her."
