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Dawn French, who worked with the comedy star, described her as a ‘unique and beautiful spark’

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

Emma Chambers, best known for playing Alice Tinker in The Vicar of Dibley, has died aged 53, it was announced on Saturday.

Dawn French, the star of The Vicar of Dibley, described her as “a unique and beautiful spark”.

Chambers’ agent said she died of natural causes on Wednesday evening, and said the actor “brought laughter and joy to many, and will be greatly missed”. She is survived by her husband, Ian Dunn, who is also an actor.

The broadcaster Emma Freud, who was friends with Chambers, tweeted: “We’re very, very sad. She was a great, great comedy performer, and a truly fine actress. And a tender, sweet, funny, unusual, loving human being.”

“How could you not love this girl,” she added, posting a video of her work.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Emma Chambers, left, with Gary Waldhorn and Dawn French in The Vicar of Dibley. Photograph: Alamy

French posted a humorous photograph of herself and Chambers on Twitter and said that she loved her a lot.

Dawn French (@Dawn_French) I was regularly humped like this by the unique & beautiful spark that was Emma Chambers. I never minded. I loved her. A lot . pic.twitter.com/imzkoyKja9

Chambers also appeared in the 1999 film Notting Hill as Honey, the younger sister of Hugh Grant’s character, William Thacker. Grant reacted to the news, tweeting that she was “a hilarious and very warm person”.

Hugh Grant (@HackedOffHugh) Emma Chambers was a hilarious and very warm person and of course a brilliant actress. Very sad news.

Her agent, John Grant, said: “We are very sad to announce the untimely death, from natural causes, of the acclaimed actress Emma Chambers.

“Over the years, Emma created a wealth of characters and an immense body of work. She brought laughter and joy to many, and will be greatly missed.”

The agent added: “At this difficult time we ask that the privacy of the family and loved ones be respected.”