ONLY Fools And Horses fans are mourning the loss of Kate Saunders.
The actress-turned-novelist, who appeared in the BBC hit sitcom, sadly passed away aged 62.
Talented Kate Saunders was an actress and novelist known for Only Fools And Horses
Who was Kate Saunders?
Born Katharine Mary Saunders in London on May 4, 1960, Kate shot to fame when she appeared on Only Fools And Horses.
The actress, novelist, and journalist got the acting bug when she joined the National Theatre in 1987.
As well as being a talented actress, Kate was a prize-winning novelist and produced more than 20 novels for children and adults.
She won the Betty Trask prize with her first novel, The Prodigal Father, and the 1999 BBC children’s series Belfry Witches was based on her books.
Kate was a columnist for the Sunday Times, the Daily Telegraph, the Sunday Express, She, and Cosmopolitan.
Kate also judged the 1990 Booker prize, and persuaded her fellow judges to choose AS Byatt’s Possession as the winner.
The writer had multiple sclerosis, but continued to write until her death aged 62 on April 21, 2023.
Kate’s sister Louisa Saunders revealed the news of her passing on Twitter.
She wrote: “My sister, who we lost last Friday. The warmest, bravest, most generous, and most brilliant woman I will ever know. Heaven knows how we will live without her.”
The Only Fools And Horses Twitter account posted a tribute to the actress: “We are sorry to learn of the passing of Kate Saunders, who played policewoman Sandra in the episode The Long Legs of the Law in 1982.
“In addition to her acting career, Kate was an award-winning novelist, journalist and critic. Our thoughts are with her family.”
Kate’s publisher, Faber Children’s, tweeted: “We are extremely saddened by the death of our beloved author, Kate Saunders.
“Our thoughts are with her family at this difficult time. Kate was a sensational author and a National Treasure.
“Brilliantly funny, gracious, compassionate, she will be greatly missed by us all.”
What did Kate Saunders star in?
Kate was best known for playing a police officer called Sandra in The Long Legs Of The Law episode of Only Fools And Horses in 1982.
The episode sees Sandra go on a date with Rodney (Nicholas Lyndhurst) before he brings her back to the flat he shares with Del-Boy (David Jason).
Although Del tries to hide all the stolen goods lying around, Sandra doesn’t miss a thing and gets the bungling duo to deal with it.
And she dumps Rodney after he asks for a second date.
Kate also starred in Angles in 1978 and ITV Playhouse in 1979.
Kate’s other roles on screen included in A Family Affair in 1979 and Just Good Friends in 1984.
Was Kate Saunders married and did she have children?
Kate married Phillip Wells in 1985, however they late divorced.
During their marriage the pair had one child together.
Sadly their son passed away when he was a teenager.
