Russ Abbot leads tributes to Emberg, who played his comic sidekick Blunderwoman in the 1980s
Tributes have been paid to the comedy actor Bella Emberg, who has died aged 80.
Emberg was described by Russ Abbot, with whom she appeared on The Russ Abbot Show as Blunderwoman, as a “a woman of immense warmth and generosity”.
Emberg appeared in programmes including The Benny Hill Show, Doctor Who and Z Cars during a television career that spanned six decades.
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Russ Abbot and Bella Emberg as Cooperman and Blunderwoman. Photograph: ITV/Rex/Shutterstock
She had recently finished filming In The Long Run, a Sky One comedy created by Idris Elba, the BBC said.
However, she will be best remembered for her turn as Blunderwoman, the comic sidekick of Abbot’s Cooperman in the 1980s.
Abbot said: “It is with a heavy heart that I heard the news about Bella. She was not only a great sport but a huge comedy talent. A genuinely funny woman, I count myself very lucky to have worked alongside her. She really was a one-off.”
Les Dennis, who appeared on The Russ Abbot Show, shared a photo of him and Emberg on Twitter.
Tributes have been paid to the "huge comedy talent" Bella Emberg, who has died, aged 80.
The British actress will be remembered for her character Blunder Woman, the comic sidekick of hapless superhero Cooperman in the 1980s television programme The Russ Abbot Show.
She was "a woman of immense warmth and generosity", Abbot said.
Emberg also appeared on The Benny Hill Show, Z Cars and Doctor Who in a television career spanning six decades.
"She was not only a great sport but a huge comedy talent. I count myself very lucky to have worked alongside her," Abbot added.
"She really was a one-off."
In an interview with the Daily Mirror last year, Emberg insisted the Blunder Woman character had been a blessing, not a curse, despite meaning that when the show finished in 1996 she could not get work.
"I went for jobs and they'd say: 'We'd love to hire you but you're too well known with Russ,'" she told the paper.
"Once every few weeks I go and look at that Blunder Woman costume - still hanging up at home - and I feel nothing but gratitude."
Skip Twitter post by @theBobbyCrush Such sad news ... my wonderful friend Bella Emberg has passed away. We’ve been chums since appearing together in a Summer show with Russ Abbot at the Princess Theatre, Torquay in 1981. A genuinely nice woman and despite her fierce on-stage characterisations, a truly gentle soul. — Bobby Crush (@theBobbyCrush) January 12, 2018 Report
Skip Twitter post by @BobbyDavro1 So sad to hear of Bella Emberg's passing
She was such a wonderful lady A true comedy talent and a friend RIP Bella Xxx #comedylegend — Bobby Davro (@BobbyDavro1) January 13, 2018 Report
Actor and comedian Barry Cryer, who was a screenwriter on the show, said Emberg was a "joy to work with".
"She never gave you the impression she was an obsessive, show business person. She took the job seriously and did it well but she was just completely natural away from the job," he said.
Actor Les Dennis paid tribute to his "funny, lovely friend", while comedian Bobby Davro called her "a true comedy talent".
Friend and pianist Bobby Crush described her as a "truly gentle soul".
The "funniest fairy", comedy actor Paul Chuckle added, while her agent said she would be "greatly missed".
Emberg had just finished filming a new Sky One comedy, In the Long Run, created by Idris Elba and due to be released later this year.
BRITISH comedy star Bella Emberg, who was best known for her role as Blunderwoman, has died at the age of 80.
The actress shot to fame alongside Russ Abbot in the 1980s, playing the comic sidekick to his hapless superhero Cooperman.
PA:Press Association Comedy actress Bella Emberg has died at the age of 80, her agent confirmed
She also appeared on The Benny Hill Show, Doctor Who, the Lily Savage Show and Z Cars.
Her agent confirmed her to death to the BBC tonight, adding that she would be "greatly missed".
Celebrity tributes poured in tonight from fellow comedians, who described Emberg as a "truly gentle soul".
Friend and pianist Bobby Crush said: "Such sad news ... my wonderful friend Bella Emberg has passed away.
Copyright (c) 2017 Rex Features. No use without permission. Emberg shot to fame as Blunderwoman on the Russ Abbot Show
"We’ve been chums since appearing together in a Summer show with Russ Abbot at the Princess Theatre, Torquay in 1981.
"A genuinely nice woman and despite her fierce on-stage characterisations, a truly gentle soul."
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Comedian Paul Chuckle tweeted: "Just heard. RIP the lovely Bella Emberg. Funniest fairy ever with us @SheffieldLyceum Will miss you."
Les Dennis said: "So sad to lose the lovely Bella Emberg. A funny, lovely friend. Thoughts and love with Rosemary. Goodnight Sweetheart."
Emberg had just completed filming on new Sky One comedy In the Long Run, created by Idris Elba, and due to be released later this year.
Such sad news ... my wonderful friend Bella Emberg has passed away. We’ve been chums since appearing together in a Summer show with Russ Abbot at the Princess Theatre, Torquay in 1981. A genuinely nice woman and despite her fierce on-stage characterisations, a truly gentle soul. — Bobby Crush (@theBobbyCrush) January 12, 2018
Just heard. RIP the lovely Bella Emberg. Funniest fairy ever with us @SheffieldLyceum Will miss you x pic.twitter.com/SRVAfoRtiF — Paul Chuckle (@PaulChuckle2) January 12, 2018
Russ Abbot and Bella Emberg as Cooperman and Blunderwoman from Russ Abbot's Madhouse
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