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Shirley Stelfox, the actress best known for playing Edna Birch in Emmerdale has died after a short battle with cancer, aged 74.
The agency, Associated International Management, announced her death in a statement and said she passed away peacefully at her home on Monday with her daughter Helena by her side.
She played Edna on the long-running ITV soap set in the Yorkshire dales for 15 years.
Stelfox played Edna for 15 years (REX) Prior to Emmerdale , Stelfox had roles in Keeping Up Appearances, The Bill, Coronation Street and Crossroads .
John Whiston, the ITV executive producer said: “The family here at Emmerdale are deeply saddened by Shirley’s passing, it is hard to imagine Emmerdale without her.
“We offer our condolences to Shirley’s family and share our feeling of loss with the millions of viewers who will miss Edna enormously.”
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Stelfox also had a number of film credits including the adaption of George Orwell’s 1984 opposite John Hurt and Personal Services alongside Julie Walters, as well as numerous theatre roles.
She was married to the actor Don Henderson from 1979 until his death in 1997.
Additional reporting by Press Association.
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