The broadcaster Kay Burley said: “Terribly sad news that Anna Karen – Olive from On the Buses – has died in tragic circumstances. May she rest in peace. She was 85.” Colleagues from the council in the area where he lived say his death “cast a shadow” over the town.

Meanwhile, her agent Shane Collins added: 'We're so sad about what happened to Anna. She was such a lovely lady and a great comedian.The mayor of Newham, Rokhsana Fiaz, said she was “deeply saddened” by the incident and offered “our deepest condolences to loved ones now in mourning”. Grandfather could be forced to sell his own house after spending thousands of pounds in legal planning disputes after removing his own wall Anna had seen Barbara go through every stage of her life and their late night phone calls together before Barbara's illness, will always be a fond memory for me of hearing them put the world to rights.

The investigation into the cause of the fire continues and I must express my thanks to the London Fire Brigade, their knowledge and experience has been crucial in helping us understand what may have happened that dreadful night.’ It took around 70 firefighters, deployed from several surrounding stations, two and a half hours to bring the blaze under control. Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Garth Hall said: ‘Firstly, I want to express my sincere condolences to all those affected by this terrible incident. Detective Chief Inspector Joanna Yorke of the Met’s Specialist Crime Command said: “We are at the very early stages of our investigation and are still keen to hear from anyone who has information but has not yet spoken with police.She was close friends with Barbara Windsor and one of her last known public appearances was attending her funeral in January last year. A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: 'Sadly, a woman has died following a house fire on Windsor Road in Ilford. Singer Cheryl Baker led the tributes on social media, tweeting: 'I have just heard the awful news that my fabulous mate, #AnnaKaren has died in a house fire.

They were] taken too soon they will always be in our hearts and thoughts. Boys I love you forever. Grandad xxx” Karen was married to fellow comedic actor Terry Duggan, who also appeared in On The Buses as Nobby, while also featuring in the likes of Only Fools and Horses and Are You Being Served? He died in 2008 aged 76. Karen was born in Durban, South Africa as Ann McCall to an Irish father and an English mother. She appeared in productions in South Africa before moving to London aged 17 and enrolling in The London School of Dramatic Art.What an horrific way to die, I can’t bear to think about it. I adored her – she was an absolute treasure, both on and off the screen.” It is not known whether she died before the fire or as a result of the blaze - a fact set to be confirmed by coroners at a later date.

Kevin Hurn, the mayor of Wymondham, said: “He was an absolutely sterling character who will be a great, great loss to the town. Death of the funeral: Justin Welby warns society is forgetting how to 'cope with loss' as most Britons do not want a religious service when they die due to high costs and a loss of faith She married fellow comic actor Terry Duggan in 1967, living under this surname away from showbusiness, and bringing up his daughter from a previous relationship, Gloria. But it was the On the Buses sitcom - which centred on the Number 11 bus, at the Luxton and District Motor Traction Company - that would make her famous. Ch Supt Dave Stringer, borough commander for Croydon, Bromley and Sutton police, confirmed that the children were related.

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Barbara and Anna were lifelong friends and Anna was always what I considered to be Barbara's only real girlfriend. The blaze was brought under control on the ground floor of her terraced house within an hour but emergency workers were unable to save the star, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Samuel, a 51-year-old gospel singer, said: “I remember him as gentle, quiet and kind, and a talented musician. I was mentioned in some of the songs he wrote but never released. Three fire engines and around 20 firefighters from Ilford and Barking fire stations attended the incident. The cause of the fire is under investigation.'