Sheila Hancock 's family home was smashed into by burgulars.
The actress, 86, was filming when her 17th Century secluded cottage, in the Cotswolds village of Luckington was targeted by thieves on Wednesday.
Valuable silverware was stolen in the break-in which has caused great upset among the villagers who live in the leafy area.
A villager said: "They must have targeted the house - nowhere else was broken into. It's where she lived with John Thaw for many years.
"We are thinking of her - it must be upsetting that someone has got in and been rummaging around."
Sheila has lived in the picturesque property since she and her late husband John Thaw purchased it in 1990.
The EastEnders actress nursed the Inspector Morse star in his final days before his death aged 60 in 2002.
More recently, Sheila has split her time between the Cotswolds cottage, which now belongs to her 55-year-old daughter Melanie, and her home in Hammersmith, London.
The incident has been confirmed by Wiltshire Police and a Neighbourhood Watch leader.
Neighbourhood Watch leader Tim Guard said: "Sheila Hancock's house was broken into this morning."
A Wiltshire Police spokesman added: "We're investigating a burglary at a property in Luckington - a number of silver ornaments were taken."
The Mirror has reached out to a representative for Sheila Hancock for further comment.
Sheila got her first big break on TV as Carol in BBC sitcom in the early 1960s.
Her acting career has seen her take to the stage and win a Laurence Olivier Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role in a Musical.
The actress has also worked on EastEnders, Doctor Who and Kavanagh QC.
