ONE OF OUR TRULY VERY GREAT ACTORS' GLENDA JACKSON GELEBRITIES PAY TRIBUTE TO THE ACCLAIMED STAR AND FORMER M.P.

As a TV sketch, it has gone down as comedy gold.

- LAURA BENJAMIN

When classical actress Glenda Jackson, who died last week aged 87, made her debut on The Morecambe & Wise Show, playing Cleopatra in the 1971 Christmas special, the audience knew they were witnessing something very special.

"Oh, I loved working with them," she later said. "I found it extremely difficult to restrain my laughter when we were doing Cleopatra."

Glenda formed a close bond with the duo, appearing in several more sketches with them, and despite her many accolades as a dramatic star - including winning two Academy Awards, three Emmys and a Tony Award - she will be as fondly remembered for her TV comedy work.

She was also renowned for shunning the glitzy side of film stardom. Not only did she not attend the Oscar ceremonies when she won, she gave up her acting career completely in her 50s to serve as an MP.

WORKING TO THE END

Glenda spent 23 years at Westminster before making a triumphant return to showbusiness, including picking up a Bafta for her role in the 2019 TV film Elizabeth is Missing. She continued to work until her death and was filming with Sir Michael Caine just weeks before.