Sunday 4th Aug 02

Carmen Silvera has died aged 80.

Carmen Silvera has died after a battle with lung cancer aged 80.

She was best known as the long-suffering wife, 'Edith' in the BBC sitcom "Allo Allo" in the 1980s.

She was diagnosed with lung cancer in April 02.

She passed away peacefully yesterday afternoon (Sat 3rd Aug) in the actors' retirement home Denville Hall, in Northwood, west London.

Her last West End appearance was in 1997 in "The School for Wives" at both the Comedy and Piccadilly Theatres. However, she was still working last year when she toured the country with the comedy "You Only Live Twice" opposite Brian Murphy.

Actor Gorden Kaye, who played her reluctant husband in 'Allo 'Allo, saw Silvera just days before she died. He said: "Carmen was a lovely lady. She was ditsy - she always left her spectacles all over the place - she was clumsy - you had to be careful not to sit next to her during a black tie dinner - she was fun and she had a wicked sense of humour....She was a delightful lady." Mr Kaye said: "We expected this, but not quite so soon. It's going to be a difficult time ahead. She was a good friend."