Miriam Margoyles has paid tribute to Brookside’s Marian Diamond following her death at the age of 89.
Miriam confirmed the passing of her close friend on social media today. She revealed that actress Marian died at the University College hospital on Monday, January 5.
In a tribute to Marian, who played Miss Shackleton in the Channel 4 soap, Miriam wrote: ‘Alas, on my mind is the sudden death last Monday, of my dear friend, Marian Diamond, at UCH in London, aged 89.
‘We first met in Edinburgh, I think in 1968 at the Traverse Theatre, and I loved her from then on. We worked together in radio after I joined the BBC Drama Rep. Company in 1965.
‘She was one of the angels in our business, endlessly generous, interested in others and thrilled by their success. She was beautiful, gentle, full of fun, wise and perceptive.’
She continued: ‘I feel utterly bereft: a unique spirit has been taken very suddenly away from us.
‘Her late sister, the casting director, Gillian Diamond and her close friend, the actor Hugh Dickson, both died in 2018.
Miriam concluded: ‘Gillian’s sons survive her. I hope they will share with her friends the funeral details.
‘She deserves a full house. Marian, you’re held in my heart forever.’
Paul Jackson, a stage manager, also penned a message and said: ‘I am deeply saddened by the news that Miriam Margoyles posted, that my dear friend Marian Diamond died on the 5th January, aged 89.
‘She was a great supporter of Play School and my archiving of the programme and we remained friends for 35 years.
‘Although I know she had been battling health issues in recent years, I was thrilled to see her in December 2024, when she joined Play School creator Joy Whitby, Phyllida Law (+Sophie Thompson) and Carol Chell at Riverside Studios, to view an exclusive showing of a previously ‘missing’ episode from Thursday 12th August 1965, which she presented with Rick Jones.’
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He added: ‘She was a gentle soul and did much work away from acting helping people. Will be sorely missed x’.
