Sylvia Syms, prolific British actor, dies aged 89

Performer starred opposite Dirk Bogarde in Victim as well as playing the mother of Helen Mirren's monarch in The Queen

Sylvia Syms, the versatile British actor who appeared in a string of films including Ice Cold in Alex, Expresso Bongo, The Tamarind Seed and The Queen, has died aged 89.

According to a statement given to PA by her family, Syms died peacefully" on Friday at Denville Hall, a care home in London for those in the entertainment industry. Her children, Beatie and Ben Edney, said: Our mother, Sylvia, died peacefully this morning. She has lived an amazing life and gave us joy and laughter right up to the end. Just yesterday we were reminiscing together about all our adventures. She will be so very missed."