Helen McCrory hinted at her hidden health battle during what would be her final TV appearance last month.
The Peaky Blinders actress's husband Damian Lewis announced on Friday that his wife had died aged 52 after being diagnosed with cancer.
McCrory, originally from Paddington in London, was best known for her roles as Aunt Polly in Peaky Blinders, Narcissa Malfoy in the Harry Potter films, and for her appearance in Skyfall. She had been married to fellow actor Lewis since 2007.
In March, Helen and Damian had made a joint appearance on GMB as they spoke via link from their home about their recent charity work, reported the Mirror.
The acting couple had been busy during lockdown working with the Prince's Trust, of which they were both ambassadors.
"Are you alright, Helen?" host Kate Garraway asked the star mid-way through the chat. "You sound a bit croaky. Have you got a sore throat?"
The Peaky Blinders star retorted with a grin: "I've got children!"
Following Friday's tragic news, fans recalled the encounter and praised Helen for promoting her charity work just six weeks before her death.
The Harry Potter star's cancer diagnosis had been kept quiet from the public.
As well as her work with the Prince's Trust, Helen and Damian raised more than £1million for Feed NHS during the first coronavirus lockdown - to provide hot meals for staff working on the front line.
On Friday, Helen's husband Damian posted the heartbreaking news on Twitter in an emotional statement.
He told fans his 'beautiful' wife had died peacefully at home after a 'heroic battle with cancer.'
"I’m heartbroken to announce that after a heroic battle with cancer, the beautiful and mighty woman that is Helen McCrory has died peacefully at home, surrounded by a wave of love from friends and family,” he said. "She died as she lived," he continued. "Fearlessly. God we love her and know how lucky we are to have had her in our lives. She blazed so brightly. Go now, Little One, into the air, and thank you."
Helen rose to fame with film credits including Interview with a Vampire in 1994 and for her critically acclaimed performance as Cherie Blair in 2006's The Queen.
She won a new generation of fans for her role as Draco Malfoy's mother Narcissa in the Harry Potter film franchise and for starring in the hugely popular Peaky Blinders as Polly Gray.
Helen is survived by Lewis and their two children Manon and Gulliver.
