‘Vicar of Dibley’ actress Emma Chambers dead, aged 53

Beloved British actress Emma Chambers has died of natural causes, aged 53.

Her agency told The Sun in a statement she would be “greatly missed”.

It said: “Emma created a wealth of characters and an immense body of work. She brought laughter and joy to many.”

Chambers rose to fame on the outlandish British comedy The Vicar of Dibley, starring alongside Dawn French as the loveable, but dimwitted Alice Tinker. In 1998, she won the British Comedy Award for best TV actress for her performance.

The following year she went on to win hearts around the world playing Hugh Grants dopey younger sister in Notting Hill.

Her co-stars and a host of other celebrities paid tribute to her after hearing the tragic news.

“I was regularly humped like this by the unique beautiful spark that was Emma Chambers. I never minded. I loved her. A lot,” Dawn French tweeted.

I was regularly humped like this by the unique & beautiful spark that was Emma Chambers. I never minded. I loved her. A lot . pic.twitter.com/imzkoyKja9

— Dawn French 💙🔴🏳️‍🌈🇺🇦 (@Dawn_French) February 24, 2018

“Emma Chambers was a hilarious and very warm person and of course a brilliant actress. Very sad news,” Hugh Grant wrote.

Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson revealed he knew Chambers as a child having grown up in the same city.

“I’m sad about Emma Chambers. Knew her when she was a kid in Doncaster. She was very funny,” he said.

Chambers was born in Doncaster and snagged small guest parts in British TV show The Bill before snagging her hit role on the Vicar of Dibley, which ran from 1994 to 2007.

Despite her sudden rise to fame, Chambers tended to stay out of the spotlight and was not regularly photographed at glitzy industry events or parties.

She is survived by her husband, fellow actor Ian Dunn.

Were you a fan of Emma Chambers? Did you like her funny characters in Notting Hill and The Vicar of Dibley?