Actor Helen McCrory dies aged 52

Amy Johnson
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 12: Helen McCrory poses in the Press Room at the Virgin TV BAFTA Television Award at The Royal Festival Hall on May 12, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)
Helen McCrory poses in the Press Room at the Virgin TV BAFTA Television Award at The Royal Festival Hall on May 12, 2019 (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images) (Jeff Spicer via Getty Images)

Actor Helen McCrory has died at the age of 52 following a private battle with cancer,

Her husband Damian Lewis released a statement confirming the news saying the Peaky Blinders and Skyfall star had died peacefully at home.

The statement, shared on Twitter, said: "I'm heartbroken to announce that after a heroic battle with cancer, the beautiful and mighty woman that is Helen McCrory has died peacefully at home, surrounded by a wave of love from friends and family."

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 30: (L-R) Helen McCrory and Damian Lewis attend the
(L-R) Helen McCrory and Damian Lewis attend the "Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood" UK Premiere at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on July 30, 2019 (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images) (Jeff Spicer via Getty Images)

"She died as she lived. Fearlessly. God we love her and know how lucky we are to have had her in our lives. She blazed so brightly. Go now, Little One, into the air, and thank you."

Born in London in 1968, McCrory married fellow actor Damien Lewis in 2007. They have two children together daughter Manon, 14, and son Gulliver, 13.

McCrory was awarded an OBE in 2017 for services to drama, and recently had been raising money for the Feed NHS charity.

After studying acting at the Drama Centre in London, McCrory made her film debut in 1994's Interview With The Vampire, and has many film roles to her name including Narcissa Malfoy in the Harry Potter film series, Cherie Blair in The Queen, and MP Clair Dowar in the 2012 James Bond film Skyfall.

Her TV roles include Polly Gray in the BBC's Peaky Blinders, Madame Kali in Penny Dreadful, and more recently Sonia Woodley QC in the TV drama Quiz.

Recent Bafta recipient Noel Clarke was among those paying tribute online.

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