We’ve lost a star. The charming and talented actress Haydn Gwynne has passed away at the age of 66 after a recent battle with cancer. Known for her comedic flair in series like “Drop The Dead Donkey” and her portrayal of Camilla in the beloved British sitcom “The Windsors”, Gwynne brought joy to many with her performances on both stage and screen.
Gwynne’s representatives shared the heartbreaking news, revealing that she died surrounded by her loved ones in the early hours of October 20th. They extended their gratitude to the staff at the Royal Marsden and Brompton Hospitals for their care during her last weeks.
Dame Helen Mirren, who shared the stage with Gwynne in “The Audience”, paid tribute to her, describing her as delightful and dedicated. According to Mirren, Gwynne was able to balance humour and seriousness brilliantly throughout her career – a testament to her talent that will be greatly missed.
Cameron Mackintosh, a theatre producer who worked closely with Gwynne until she fell sick, expressed his shock at the sudden loss. He remembered Gwynne fondly both as a phenomenal actress and singer, and an equally wonderful person. Mackintosh mentioned that tonight’s performance of ‘Old Friends’ would be dedicated to Gwynne’s memory and extraordinary career, raising a toast to her at the Gielgud Theatre.
A Sussex native, Gwynne spent some of her early years in Rome teaching English before returning home at 25 to pursue her dream of acting. She made a name for herself as Alex Pates in “Drop The Dead Donkey”, which saw her nominated for a BAFTA TV award in 1992. She also gained recognition for her role as Dr Joanna Graham on “Peak Practice”.
Gwynne’s impressive stage career earned her two Olivier Award nominations for performances in West End productions “City Of Angels” and “Billy Elliot The Musical”. She also received nods for her roles in “The Threepenny Opera” and “Women On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown”. One of her most notable roles was playing Margaret Thatcher alongside Dame Helen Mirren’s Queen in Peter Morgan’s 2013 play “The Audience”.
Gwynne had an affinity for royal characters, portraying Lady Susan Hussey in the fifth series of “The Crown” and joining “The Great British Bake Off Musical” as Pam Lee, a character based on Prue Leith. She