Former ‘EastEnders’ actor Edna Doré dies, aged 92

Former EastEnders actress Edna Doré has passed away at the age of 92.

Doré played Frank Butcher’s mother, Mo, on the BBC soap from 1988 to 1990 – a role which required her to portray an elderly woman battling Alzheimer’s disease.

In a statement to BBC News, her agent Belinda Wright said that the actress died peacefully in her sleep on Friday (April 11).

In recent years Doré made guest appearances in TV shows including Gavin & Stacey, Shameless and Midsomer Murders.

She also appeared in films including 1995’s Nil By Mouth and 1988’s High Hopes, the latter directed by Mike Leigh.

Paying tribute to the actress, Leigh told The Guardian: “Edna Doré swore like a trooper, smoked like a chimney, detested bullshit and didn’t suffer fools. We will all miss her no-nonsense wit, her generosity, and, above all, her uniquely truthful acting.”

Paul O’Grady, who appeared with Doré on the BBC sitcom Eyes Down from 2003-4, also paid tribute to the actress, saying on his Radio 2 show: “She had a remarkable career. She might be gone but she’s not forgotten by me. I had a ball with Edna, what a laugh she was.”

Edna Doré was married to actor Alexander Doré for 56 years until his death in 2002. She is survived by their son Michael.

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