Australian soapie actress Cathy Godbold has died aged 43 after a decade-long battle with brain cancer.

Godbold, who was best known for her role as Deborah Hale in the children’s series The Saddle Club, died in a Melbourne hospital on Friday, her family confirmed.

Godbold, who also appeared in a TV soapies Neighbours and Home and Away as well as cop drama Blue Heelers, was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2007.

Her mother was popular TV and radio personality Rosemary Margan who died of cancer aged 80, only last December.

Godbold’s stepfather Ross Mitchell – the brother of 3AW broadcaster and journalist Neil Mitchell – described his step-daughter as a funny, kind and wonderful person who only wanted to do good for others and never gave up her battle against the disease.

“She was fun loving, she had a sense of humour that was a bit devilish and she was very kind,” he told News Corp.

“She was very, very close to her mother, they spoke every day, and very close to me. She was very special,” Mr Mitchell said.

Popular actress Cathy Godbold has lost her battle with brain cancer. #7News pic.twitter.com/CgkwjxqWx9 — 7 News Melbourne (@7NewsMelbourne) May 5, 2018

At the time of her diagnosis Godbold said: “It was a terrible shock to find out I was ill. Because I am young and healthy I have a much better chance of beating it. I want to get healthy and get back to work as soon as possible. I feel tired, as the treatment does knock you for six.”

Friends paid tribute to the young actress on social media.

“So tragic and so young – in her Mother’s Arms now RIP beautiful one,” wrote friend Julie Williams on social media.

When the young actress scored the role on the hit Australian-Canadian series, The Saddle Club, based on the books written by Bonnie Bryant, she spoke of her love of acting and dancing, while she was happy to give away singing.

“The world of entertainment was almost inbred; I was surrounded by it all my life, going to the television studios with my mother and always hearing stories about the industry. I always knew I wanted to be part of it,” she wrote.

“I gave up singing years ago; I was doing a solo at the Logies and the sound system died. When it started to work again there was bad distortion and my voice sounded dreadful. It was every performer’s nightmare come true and I haven’t yet got my confidence back to sing in public,” she said.

A service for Ms Godbold will be held at Melbourne’s Springvale Cemetery on Thursday.

-with AAP