TV actress Vivean Gray, who was best known for her role as Mrs Mangel on Australian soap Neighbours , has died aged 92.

Born in the UK, Ms Grey played an infuriating, meddlesome neighbour on Ramsay Street in the 1980s, a role that stuck with Australian viewers.

She was so convincing as Mrs Mangel she was often the target of abuse by fans of the show.

She eventually left the show after just two years.

"You've just got to have a sense of humour about the whole thing, and rationalise it by saying at least the character is working!" she said about the fan's reaction.

Ms Gray also starred in The Sullivans as gossip prone neighbour Mrs Jessup in the 1970s.

Neighbours executive producer Jason Herbison said he was saddened by Mrs Gray's passing, but remembered her as a soap legend.

"Mrs Mangel was the ultimate busybody, remembered for her conservatism and her caustic wit," he said in a statement.

"She was a true soap legend and we thank her for all the wonderful memories."

Mark Little, who played Joe Mangel in the soap, paid tribute on Twitter.

"Vivean Gray: Legend many times over. I was privileged to know and work with her. We laughed a lot creating The Mangel," he said.

Ms Gray came to acting late in life, working as a photographer's assistant and a sales assistant in the UK up until her late 20s.

She moved to Australia in 1953, looking for acting work, eventually landing roles on the stage and in radio.

Neighbours was her final acting credit, and she is said to have moved back to the UK in the late 80s.