Anna Karen death: On the Buses and EastEnders star dies in London house fire - her life and career

Anna Karen, the last surviving star of the hit ITV sitcom On The Buses, has died in a house fire at the age of 85.

Police who attended the scene of the fire said that the circumstances around the incident do not appear to be suspicious.

The London Fire Brigade (LFB) said around 20 firefighters attended the scene at 10:40pm and that the fire was under control by 11:38pm, however “a woman was pronounced dead at the scene”.

Who was Anna Karen?

Anna Karen was an English actress who was born in South Africa, and was best known for the roles of Olive on the sitcom On the Buses and Aunt Sal in EastEnders.

Born in Durban, South African, on 19 September 1936, Karen moved to London at the age of 17 and enrolled at the London School of Dramatic Art.

She was part way through the run of the BBC sitcom Wild, Wild Women when she was approached by writers Ronald Wolfe and Ronald Chesney about a role that would become one of her most iconic - Olive in On the Buses.

Speaking to journalist Richard Webber, Karen said: “Ronald Chesney and Ronald Wolfe happened to be at rehearsals. I felt and looked dreadful, but they said I was ideal for Olive.

“The writers wanted her to look a mess, so I didn’t wear make-up, wore a wig that made my head look flat and had padding around my stomach to look plump.

“I based her on someone I knew in South Africa who was always desperate for men. She was terribly insecure, which applied to Olive, too.”

On the Buses became an instant hit with audiences and ended up running for seven seasons, with 74 episodes, and enjoyed three spin-off films as well, On the Buses (1971), Mutiny On the Buses (1972) and Holiday On the Buses (1973).

From 1977 to 1978, Karen reprised the role of Olive after the character was transported by Wolfe and Chesney to a sitcom called The Rag Trade.

Outside of playing Olive, Karen made appearances in comedy sketch shows like The Kenneth Williams Show and The Dick Emery Show and the children’s sci-fi film Stainless Steel and the Star Spies.

In 1996, Karen appeared on EastEnder as Aunt Sal. While she wasn’t a permanent cast member, she made a number of appearances on the soap as Aunt Sal.

As well as starring on the screen, Karen also enjoyed a career on the stage as well, starring in productions like Who Goes Bare?, Not Now, Darling and Cinderella.

She married fellow actor and comedian Terry Duggan in 1967, and the two remained together until his death in 2008.

When did she die?

Karen died in a house fire in east London on Tuesday (22 February) night.

The Metropolitan Police said the circumstances of the fire on Windsor Road in Ilford do not appear to be suspicious.

London Fire Brigade (LFB) said they were called at 10.40pm and the fire was under control by 11.38pm with around 20 firefighters at the scene.

“Sadly, a woman has died following a house fire on Windsor Road in Ilford.

“Part of the ground floor of a mid-terrace house was damaged by fire. Sadly a woman was pronounced dead at the scene,” LFB said.

Police said a formal identification is still to take place, adding: “The cause of the fire is under investigation, though early indications suggest it is not suspicious.”

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called at 10.43pm yesterday evening (February 22) to reports of a fire at a residential address on Windsor Road, Ilford.

“We sent a paramedic in a fast-response car and an incident response officer. Sadly, a person died at the scene.”

Fire brigade forensic officers were seen entering a terraced house in Windsor Road on Wednesday afternoon.

The building was taped off and two uniformed police officers stood nearby. A fire engine was parked across the road in the quiet residential street.

Neighbour Pavananthakumar Sivalai said: “I was in my bedroom and my children said they could see flashing blue lights [from the emergency services].

“There was a lot of smoke.”

The 43-year-old said firefighters broke the door and went into the house with torches.

He added that the police then told everyone to go back inside their homes as it was dangerous.

What did her agent say?

Karen’s agent Shane Collins told the PA news agency: “It is a terrible tragedy. I loved Anna. I’ve known her since I was a kid and she’s been the most wonderful lady.

“I’ve been privileged to look after her as her agent for the last few years.”

Collins said Karen was best friends with the late Dame Barbara Windsor, adding: “It’s just very, very sad.”

Collins said Karen “wasn’t able to move terribly well”, and asked if she was in the house alone, he said: “Yeah she wanted to be in the house by herself. She didn’t want anybody with her.

“She was very happy there by herself. She didn’t want to be in a home. We tried to talk her into going into various places and getting secure housing and all that.

“But she felt she wanted to be where Terry lived, where her husband lived.”

An EastEnders spokesperson said: “We are deeply saddened to hear that Anna Karen has passed away.

“Anna created a sharp, quick-witted and extremely popular character in Aunt Sal that the audience will never forget, just as those who worked with her at EastEnders will never forget her warmth, kindness, fun and good humour.

“Our love and thoughts are with Anna’s family and friends.”

Tributes for Anna Karen

Following the news of her death, tributes started pouring out for the actress.

Scott Mitchell, husband of the late Dame Barbara said he is “desperately sad and shocked” to hear about Karen’s death.

He said: “Barbara and Anna were lifelong friends and Anna was always what I considered to be Barbara’s only real girlfriend.

“Anna had seen Barbara go through every stage of her life and their late night phone calls together before Barbara’s illness, will always be a fond memory for me of hearing them put the world to rights.

“Anna and I had kept in regular contact since Barbara’s passing and she was a good friend and support to me when things were tough and we spoke a couple of weeks ago.

“It was a fun chat and I thought how upbeat she sounded. We always shared memories and jokes about Barbara.

“Anna was one of three I asked to speak at Barbara’s funeral. I will remember her straight talking, great humour and intelligence. May she rest in peace.”

Former EastEnders actress Rita Simons, who played Roxy Mitchell in the soap, tweeted: “I just heard the awful news about the wonderful Anna Karen.

“Horrific and awful and so so sad. She was one of the best. Sleep well lovely Anna. Sending all my love to her family and friends.”

Daniella Westbrook, who starred as Sam Mitchell in the soap, wrote on Twitter: “I’m devastated at the loss of lovely Anna, my condolences to her family may she Rest In Peace.”

Co-star Jake Wood, who played Max Branning, tweeted: “So sad to hear of the passing of Anna Karen. Loved working with her, so funny and full of character RIP x.”

Cheryl Baker, who won the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest as part of Bucks Fizz, tweeted: “I have just heard the awful news that my fabulous mate, #AnnaKaren has died in a house fire.

“What a horrific way to die, I can’t bear to think about it. I adored her – She was an absolute treasure, both on and off the screen.”

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