Comedy actress Rosalind Knight has died at the age of 87, her family have announced.

The star, who celebrated her birthday earlier this month, was known to younger audiences as 'Horrible Grandma' in Channel 4's Friday Night Dinner and the retired prostitute Beryl in Gimme Gimme Gimme.

In a career spanning back 70 years, her notable film roles included Carry On Nurse and Carry On Teacher in the 1950s, as well as About A Boy and The Lady in the Van in more recent years.

A statement from Knight's family said: "It is with huge sadness that the family of Rosalind Knight announce her death following a glorious career as a well-loved actress in theatre, TV and film.

"She was known to so many generations, for so many different roles, and will be missed as much by the kids today who howl at Horrible Grandma in Friday Night Dinner as by those of us who are old enough to remember her in the very first Carry On films."

Jonathan Harvey, creator of Gimme Gimme Gimme, posted on social media: "So sad to hear that Rosalind Knight has died. She was just perfect as the old prozzie Beryl in Gimme Gimme Gimme, and of course she had a very distinguished career before and after. Sending love to all her family."

Friday Night Dinner's Tom Rosenthal wrote on Twitter: "Sorry to heap more sad news on but we lost Rosalind a few days ago. Despite being the most wonderful Horrible Grandma she was in real life quite the opposite. She filmed the last series whilst not particularly well and remained the most fun and talented person."