'Allo 'Allo star dies

Silvera battled cancer without chemotherapy

'Allo 'Allo star Carmen Silvera has died after a battle with lung cancer.

Silvera, who played a long-suffering wife in the hit sitcom, died on Saturday afternoon, aged 80.

She was a delightful lady

Gordon Kaye

Her agent and friend of 25 years Barry Burnett said: "Carmen was diagnosed with lung cancer in April.

"She passed away peacefully yesterday afternoon in the actors' retirement home Denville Hall, in Northwood, west London."

'Allo 'Allo was a huge hit in the 1980s, centered on the fictional exploits of resistance fighters in World War II in France.

'Happy life'

Mr Burnett said: "She celebrated her 80th birthday in June with friends and family and was cheerful right to the end.

"She said she had a very happy life, some wonderful holidays, and wonderful success in her career."

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."

The actor said he would donate a rose tree to the crematorium in her memory.

Battle

When Silvera, who was a smoker, was diagnosed with lung cancer at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital she said she would battle the disease, without chemo or radiotherapy.

The actress was born in Canada but moved to Coventry with her family when she was a child.

Although best known for 'Allo 'Allo she was still working last year when she toured the country with the comedy You Only Live Twice.

Actor Brian Murphy, who worked alongside Silvera in the comedy tour, said: "Working with her was an absolute joy."

One of Silvera's best friend, Linda Regan, who is Brian Murphy's wife, said: "She was one of the most generous, wonderful friends."