Who was Patricia Brake and how did she die?
PORRIDGE actress Patricia Brake has died aged 79 after a long illness, her son and agent have confirmed.
The British actress enjoyed a stellar 60-year stage and screen career, with iconic roles alongside the Two Ronnies and Morcambe and Wise.
Who was Patricia Brake?
Patricia Ann Brake was born in Bath, Somerset on 25 June 1942.
She famously played the role of Ingrid Fletcher in the hit 1970s BBC sitcom, Porridge.
She studied theatre at Bristol's Old Vic theatre from the age of 16.
In 1962 she played Hermia in Peter Hall’s adaptation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream alongside Dames Judi Dench and Diana Rigg.
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How did she die?
Jon McBain, Brake's son, announced the news of her death on Twitter, saying that she had died ‘after a long battle with cancer’ on Saturday May 28.
Her agent Scott Marshall Partners confirmed the sad news with a social media statement that said: ‘It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our client and well-loved stage and TV actress, Patricia Brake, at the age of 79, after a very long battle with cancer.’
It is unclear which type of cancer Brake was diagnosed with.
The announcements on Twitter led to an outpouring of condolences from both fans and fellow actors.
What TV shows did Patricia appear in?
After emerging onto the English theatre screen as a teenager, Brake made a name for herself as a leading lady on British stages up and down the country.
She then took on the role of Ingrid Fletcher, daughter of Stanley Normal Fletcher, in the BBC cult favourite Porridge in 1974.
She went on to appear in many British TV shows including roles in EastEnders, Emmerdale, Holby City, The Bill, Doctors, Midsomer Murders and Coronation Street where she played Mike Baldwin's sister Viv.
Most recently she starred in ITV's Manhunt in 2020.
Was she married and did she have children?
Brake married English photographer Robert McBain in 1966, after they divorced shed remained single for a number of years before later marrying Michael Kennedy in 1997. The couple stayed together until her death.
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She had three children during her marriage to McBain: Hannah, Jon and Angus.
Brake leaves behind her three children, her step-children and grandchildren.