Notting Hill and Vicar of Dibley star Emma Chambers dies aged 53

The actress - who portrayed the dim but lovable Alice Tinker opposite Dawn French's Geraldine Granger in the long-running BBC comedy - died from natural causes.

Doncaster-born Chambers also had roles in Bafta-winning Notting Hill and would be "greatly missed", her agent John Grant said.

He added: "We are very sad to announce the untimely death, from natural causes, of the acclaimed actress, Emma Chambers.

"Over the years, Emma created a wealth of characters and an immense body of work.

"She brought laughter and joy to many, and will be greatly missed.

"At this difficult time we ask that the privacy of the family and loved ones be respected."

Emma Freud, the wife of The Vicar Of Dibley's creator, Richard Curtis, paid tribute to Chambers on Twitter.

She wrote: "Our beautiful friend Emma Chambers has died at the age of 53.

"We're very very sad. She was a great, great comedy performer, and a truly fine actress. And a tender, sweet, funny, unusual, loving human being."

Former Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson recalled Chambers being "very funny".

He wrote on Twitter: "I'm sad about Emma Chambers. Knew her when she was a kid in Doncaster. She was very funny."