English actress and comedian Lynda Baron, best known for playing the role of Nurse Gladys Emmanuel in the 1970s sitcom Open All Hours, alongside Sir David Jason and Ronnie Barker, has passed away. She was 82. The BAFTA-nominated star's death was announced by her PA, Donna French, in an official statement that is as follows: "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved client Lynda Baron … we have lost a leading light of our world. We extend our deepest condolences to her daughter Sarah, her son Morgan and all her family."

Baron's death has come as a news of big sorrow for fans and many who worked alongside her, including her Emmerdale star Lisa Riley, who played the late actress' daughter on the show Fat Friends. She tweeted, "GOD BLESS YOU LYNDA REST IN PEACE. You played my mum for four wonderful, memorable years in Fat Friends … I learnt so much from you, but mostly we ALWAYS laughed together, your energy will live on FOREVER." Likewise, actor Stuart Antony too posted a picture of himself alongside Baron and wrote, "Saddened to hear wonderful friend Lynda Baron has sadly passed away. She was the nicest person and what a legend. Here we are with Su Pollard just before lockdown – RIP Lynda Baron."

Baron, who later reprised her role as Nurse Gladys on the Open All Hours sequel titled Still Open All Hours in 2013, is also known for being a series regular on the 1990s BBC children’s programme Come Outside, which featured her and her dog Pippin going on fun adventures in a small airplane. She later made an appearance on the BBC soap EastEnders as Linda Clarke as the mother of Jane Beale in 2006 before her role was extended to being a series regular between 2008 and 2009, while once again reprising the character in 2016. Baron is also known for her appearances on shows like Doctor Who, Dinnerladies, and Last of the Summer Wine. She earned a BAFTA nomination for her performance in BBC Four’s The Road to Coronation Street in 2011. Some of Baron's major film credits include 2005’s Colour Me Kubrick, Woody Allen’s Scoop in 2006, including the 2020 sports movie Dream Horse which starred Damian Lewis and Joanna Page.