Lorraine Cheshire, best known for playing Fleur Budgen in the BBC drama Waterloo Road, has died at the age of 65.
Her Early Doors co-star Christina Bottomley paid tribute on Instagram, writing: "A brandy and coke for Lorraine. It was always a brandy and coke." TV presenter Anthony Crank described her as "one of the kindest, funniest, beautiful and caring souls I ever had the privilege to know".
Other tributes highlighted her talent and warmth, with one fan calling her "a wonderful actor and human being" and another noting she was "a real comic".
Cheshire began acting in her mid-30s after her husband left the Army. Her first role was in Cranford, followed by appearances in Holby City, Doctors, and Casualty. She played Joan Bell in Early Doors and later starred in Trollied as Sue Benson. More recently, she played Lorraine Bird in the Channel 4 drama Ackley Bridge from 2017 to 2022.
She is survived by her husband John.
