EASTENDERS fans are mourning the loss of Mona Hammond.
The Jamaican-British actress has died at the age of 91.
Who was Mona Hammond?
Born in Jamaica on January 1931, Mona emigrated to the UK in 1959, where she lived for the rest of her life.
She was best known for playing Blossom in EastEnders.
Among her numerous achievements she co-founded Talawa Theatre Company in 1985.
She was also a RADA graduate and received an honorary RADA Fellowship in 2019.
But despite her television success, Mona’s first love was theatre where she fell in love with performance.
During her time on stage, she starred in an array of productions including Macbeth, Fuente Ovejuna, Josephine house and Peer Gynt.
What TV shows was Mona Hammond known for?
Mona appeared on EastEnders twice throughout her acting career – first with a small appearance in a minor role in 1986 as Michelle Fowler’s midwife.
But she reappeared in May 1994 when she landed the role of Blossom.
She remained on the hit series until May in 1997.
Mona was also known for her character Susu in Desmond’s.
In 2003 she starred in a six-part contemporary comedy series for BBC One The Crouches.
Mona also appeared in A Touch of Frost (2003), Holby City (2001, 2005 and 2011), Doctors (2006), and Death in Paradise (2011).
When did Mona die?
Mona passed away on July 4, 2022, although a cause of death is unknown.
Loose Women presenter Charlene White also took to Twitter to share her condolences.
She wrote: “Mona Hammond, a trailblazer in every way. Thank-you.”
An EastEnders fan page tweeted: “RIP Mona Hammond, who played Blossom Jackson in #EastEnders,”
Walford Weekly podcast shared: “Really sad to hear of Mona Hammond passing.
“Blossom was a great character during the early years of #EastEnders and was a great family figure for the Jackson family in their early days. R.I.P.”
Was Mona Hammond married and did she have any children?
Not much is known about Mona’s personal life, as she kept this private.
We do known she was once married to her ex-husband Michael Saunders from 1965 to 1987.
Mona also had one child during her life.
