Tributes have poured in for the late actor Una Stubbs, following her death at the age of 84.
The Sherlock star had been unwell for several months before dying at her home in Edinburgh, it was announced today (12 August).
In a statement, her sons Joe and Christian Henson and Jason Gilmore said: “Mum passed away quietly today with her family around her, in Edinburgh.
“We ask for privacy and understanding at this most difficult and sad of times.”
In the BBC’s hit adaptation of Arthur Conan Doyle’s detective novels, Stubbs played Mrs Hudson, the benevolent landlady of 221B and 221C Baker Street.
She had in fact known her co-star Benedict Cumberbatch since he was four years old, having worked years ago with his mother, Wanda Ventham.
Long before Sherlock, Stubbs rose to prominence with her performance in Cliff Richard’s Summer Holiday, also appearing in a litany of roles across film, TV and the stage.
Fans and contemporaries posted tributes to the Stubbs on social media in the wake of her death.
Actor Stuart Antony wrote: “RIP the fabulously brilliant Una Stubbs. The nicest person EVER! Always made me smile whenever I saw her. She will be greatly missed.”
Former co-star Jessica Stubbs wrote: “Very sad to hear the news of Una Stubbs passing. She played Miss Bat in the version of The Worst Witch I was part of. I always remember Una as being so kind and caring of the younger cast. She was very quick, funny and incredibly professional.
“To this day I think Una was the most effortlessly chic and stylish woman I’ve ever met. I feel very lucky to have worked with her. My thoughts are with her family.”
One Twitter user who said they once worked as an extra on Sherlock also shared her memory of Stubbs.
“I was (only just) 18 when I worked as an extra on Sherlock,” she wrote. It was my first ever job and walking onto the set for the first time was so nervewracking. Una Stubbs was lovely. She had a smile and a kind word for everybody, cast, crew and extras alike. Thinking of her family.”
Comedian Robin Ince wrote: “Una Stubbs always seemed to be the sort of person who brought delight and playfulness with her, a wonderful presence and a fantastic career.”
“God bless Una Stubbs. A wonderful individual. You could tell that in Sherlock she was having the time of her life,” wrote critic and BBC broadcaster Scott Bryan.
Actor Bonnie Langford wrote: “Such a loss. She made everything look so effortless. A consummate professional, kind, gracious, elegant, versatile and fun. Her Aunt Sally was a masterclass alone. Condolences and love to those loved ones left behind.”
