Emmerdale, Coronation Street and Brookside actor Paula Tilbrook has died at 89

(Photo: ITV)(Photo: ITV)
(Photo: ITV)

Paula Tilbrook, the Emmerdale actress who played Betty Eagleton for 21 years, has died at the age of 89.

Tilbrook died of natural causes in December, though her passing was only made public on The Stage website on Wednesday.

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"The family of Paula Tilbrook are sad to confirm the peaceful passing of their beloved Paula," a statement said.

"She died of natural causes a few months ago at home with her loved ones beside her."

Who did Paula Tilbrook play on Emmerdale?

Tilbrook joined the long-running ITV soap in 1994, and would remain a mainstay of its cast until 2015.

Betty Eagleton was a favourite among Emmerdale fans, known for her incessant gossiping, often accompanied by a generously poured glass of sherry.

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A spokesperson for the show said, "We are saddened to hear of the passing of our much loved colleague, Paula Tilbrook.

"Paula was at the heart of Emmerdale for many years and she will be greatly missed by all who worked with her and by the fans of her character, Betty.

"We have lost a great talent and a wonderful friend but she will forever live in the memories of those lucky enough to have known her."

What else was she in?

Tilbrook had previously been seen in another ITV soap, making her first of 11 appearances on Coronation Street in 1973.

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Throughout her time on the Manchester-based show, Tilbrook would play Estelle Plimpton in 1977, Olive Taylor-Brown in 1978 and 1980, and Vivian Barford between 1991 and ‘93.

Tilbrook's other soap role was as another character named Betty - this time Betty Hughes - in Channel 4's Brookside between 1984 and ‘85.

Paula Tilbrook was born on 16 January 1930 and died on 1 December 2019, aged 89.

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