British comedian Victoria Wood, renowned in her home country for sharp sketch comedy and sitcoms, has died. She was 62.

Wood died Wednesday at her London home "after a short but brave battle with cancer," her publicist, Neil Reading said.

Wood starred in a popular British sketch comedy show in the 1980s, "Victoria Wood as Seen on TV," before going on to star the 1990s hit sitcom "Dinnerladies" with Julie Walters, Celia Imrie and Maxime Peake. Wood received four BAFTA television awards, and in 2008 she was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II.

"Absolutely Fabulous" star and creator Jennifer Saunders credited Wood for serving as an example to other female comedians. "She was truly an inspiration and had so much left to give and we won't see it," Saunders said.

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As news of Wood's passing spread, bold-face names in British film, television and comedy took to Twitter to express their grief, shock and admiration.