‘Trailblazing’ TV, film and stage actor Cleo Sylvestre dies aged 79

Mick Jagger leads tributes to first black actor to land leading role at National Theatre, who sang with the Rolling Stones

The trailblazing" actor Cleo Sylvestre has died at the age of 79, her agent has confirmed.

Sylvestre, also known as Cleopatra Palmer, had been a feature of film, stage, television and music since the 1960s, and played Melanie Harper, Meg Richardson's adopted daughter, in ITV's Crossroads - making her the first black actor to have a regular leading role in a UK soap opera. She was also the first black actor to land a leading role at the National Theatre.