Tributes have been paid to the “huge comedy talent” Bella Emberg, who has died, aged 80.

Bella played two uncredited parts during the Third Doctor’s era. She appeared as a nurse in Doctor Who and the Silurians and as a kitchen maid in The Time Warrior.

In the revived series, she played Mrs Croot in Love & Monsters. She filmed a second appearance as Mrs Croot for The Runaway Bride, but this scene ended up on the cutting room floor.

Bella Emberg is best known for playing comedic parts, most notably as a foil to Benny Hill and later Russ Abbot during various of both of these comedians’ television programmes.

She was “a woman of immense warmth and generosity”, Abbot said.

Emberg also appeared on The Benny Hill Show, Z Cars and Doctor Who in a television career spanning six decades.

“She was not only a great sport but a huge comedy talent. I count myself very lucky to have worked alongside her,” Abbot added.

“She really was a one-off.”

In an interview with the Daily Mirror last year, Emberg insisted the Blunder Woman character had been a blessing, not a curse, despite meaning that when the show finished in 1996 she could not get work.

“I went for jobs and they’d say: ‘We’d love to hire you but you’re too well known with Russ,'” she told the paper.

“Once every few weeks I go and look at that Blunder Woman costume – still hanging up at home – and I feel nothing but gratitude.”

Sad news. Goodbye to Bella Emberg. pic.twitter.com/6vrAAgsPef

— Carol Challis (@BeingBoycie) January 12, 2018

Such sad news … my wonderful friend Bella Emberg has passed away. We’ve been chums since appearing together in a Summer show with Russ Abbot at the Princess Theatre, Torquay in 1981. A genuinely nice woman and despite her fierce on-stage characterisations, a truly gentle soul.

— Bobby Crush (@theBobbyCrush) January 12, 2018

So sad to lose the lovely Bella Emberg. A funny, lovely friend. Thoughts and love with Rosemary. Goodnight Sweetheart x pic.twitter.com/SNYQK92BmO

— Les Dennis (@LesDennis) January 13, 2018

https://twitter.com/BobbyDavro1/status/951982569813434369

Actor Les Dennis paid tribute to his “funny, lovely friend”, while comedian Bobby Davro called her “a true comedy talent”.

Friend and pianist Bobby Crush described her as a “truly gentle soul”.

The “funniest fairy”, comedy actor Paul Chuckle added, while her agent said she would be “greatly missed”.

Emberg had just finished filming a new Sky One comedy, In the Long Run, created by Idris Elba and due to be released later this year.