Rentaghost and Billy Elliot star Ann Emery dies aged 86
Emery, the half-sister of comedian Dick Emery, was best-known for her role as Ethel Meaker in children's show Rentaghost
VETERAN actress Ann Emery has died at the age of 86.
Emery, the half-sister of comedian Dick Emery, was best-known for her role as Ethel Meaker in children's show Rentaghost, which she landed in 1976.
In Rentaghost, which aired in the 1970s and 1980s and also starred Christopher Biggins, Emery rented out ghosts to members of the public together with on-screen husband Harold.
She also starred in the role of Grandma in the original cast of the Billy Elliot stage musical.
Its director, Stephen Daldry, paid tribute to Emery as a "child of the theatre" and said she will be "deeply missed".
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Born in 1930 in London, Emery also played Mrs Rocket in the BBC's Julia Jekyll and Jarriet Hyde, and appeared in eight episodes of The Dick Emery Show.
Daldry added: "She was herself a child of the theatre, whose enthusiasm and joy was always apparent.
"What a treat it was to have known her."
Singer and actress Elaine Paige also paid tribute, posting on Twitter: "Sad to hear of the death of Ann Emery the original Grandma in @BillyElliotUK & of course Mrs Meaker in #Rentaghost."
The official Billy Elliot Twitter account added: "We're deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Ann Emery, our wonderful original Grandma.
"She will be incredibly missed."