'Four Weddings' actress found dead after asthma attack

Charlotte Coleman, the 33-year-old actress who won a Bafta nomination for her part as Hugh Grant's flatmate in Four Weddings and a Funeral, has died after suffering a severe asthma attack.

Miss Coleman was found dead in her north London flat by her mother, the actress Ann Beach, who grew concerned when she could not contact her daughter by telephone.

The petite actress, who was attracted to unusual and eccentric roles, had bought her flat three weeks ago and was said by her father to have been very happy decorating it.

She made her name most famously by swearing throughout the opening scene of Four Weddings and a Funeral, but has made 10 films and appeared on many television and radio programmes.

At the age of 21, Miss Coleman won a Royal Television Society award for her portrayal of the lesbian teenager Jess in the BBC adaptation of the Jeanette Winterson novel Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit. She recently appeared in Simon Nye's sitcom How Do You Want Me?

Her spokeswoman said last night: "This is a terrible shock for all those who knew her and loved her."

Miss Coleman was found in an upstairs room on Wednesday, and her asthma inhaler was found downstairs. The cause of death was recorded as acute bronchial asthma.