TV impressionist Janet Brown dies aged 87

TV impressionist Janet Brown, who became famous for her impersonation of former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, has died aged 87.

According to the BBC website, her agent said she had suffered from a short illness and passed away in her sleep at a nursing home in East Sussex.

Brown, who began her acting career in the 1930s, found fame in the 70s and 80s for her impersonations on The Mike Yarwood Show - one of the most popular entertainment programmes of the era.

However it was her Thatcher impression which made her a household name.

She also played the former Prime Minister in the 1981 James Bond film For Your Eyes Only.

More recently the Scottish-born actress appeared in TV shows including Casualty, Hotel Babylon and Midsomer Murders.

Brown, who was married to Carry On star Peter Butterworth, is survived by her son, the actor Tyler Butterworth
.