Actress Cheryl Hall has died, with the news announced by actor Robin Askwith, who had been in a relationship with her during the 1970s. In his tribute, he remembered not only her acting talent but also her warmth, courage, and unforgettable personality.
Hall began acting in the late 1960s and became a familiar face on British television. She appeared in On the Buses, played Shirna in the 1973 Doctor Who story Carnival of Monsters, and later gained wider recognition as Shirley Johnson in the sitcom Citizen Smith, where she starred alongside Robert Lindsay.
Her long career included appearances in major series such as The Bill, Poirot, Inspector Morse, Grange Hill, Casualty, Silent Witness, and EastEnders. She also appeared in several films and was once considered for the role of Jo Grant in Doctor Who before Katy Manning was ultimately cast.
Outside acting, Hall entered politics and stood as a Labour candidate in Canterbury in 1997 before serving on Kent County Council. She also supported greater representation for women in politics while raising her two sons and continuing her acting work. Her death marks the loss of a performer whose career crossed comedy, drama, crime, science fiction, and public service.
