On The Buses’ Anna Karen leaves most of £400k fortune to EastEnders co-star Sophie Lawrence

2022-08-21

On The Buses star Anna Karen reportedly left the majority of her fortune to her former EastEnders co-star Sophie Lawrence, following her death earlier this year.

The actor tragically passed away in a house fire at her home in Ilford in February. She was best known for playing Aunt Sal – sister of Peggy Mitchell – on EastEnders, as well as the role of Olive on the sitcom On The Buses between 1969 and 1973.

Her East London home caught fire unexpectedly, with neighbours believingthe actress may have fallen asleep while smoking .

Anna had lived in London since the age of 17 and owned a modest terraced house in an East London suburb.

It’s been revealed that over £420,000 of her estate was left for her close friend Sophie Lawrence, 50, who played Diane Butcher in EastEnders between 1988 and 1991.

According to probate records seen by theMailOnline,Anna's will left 65 per cent of her net estate to Lawrence after payment of funeral and legal costs, inheritance tax and a £1,500 legacy to another friend.

Anna’s will reportedly left a further fifth of the residuary of her estate to her stepdaughter Gloria Gill, the daughter of her actor husband Terry Duggan, who died in 2008.

Another eighth was left to four other friends or relatives and the final 2.5 per cent was left to the Actors' Benevolent Fund.

After the star's passing, EastEnders paid tribute to the actress as a spokesperson for the soap said everyone had been “deeply saddened” by the news of her death.

“We are deeply saddened to hear that Anna Karen has passed away,” the statement read. “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."

While former Sam Mitchell actress Danniella Westbrook reposted the news article on her Twitter page, and said she was devastated to learn of the loss.

“I’m devastated at the loss of lovely Anna, my condolences to her family,” the star wrote. “May she Rest In Peace,” she posted next to a heart emoji.

Anna was a stalwart actress on Albert Square, and regularly had scenes with the legendary Barbara Windsor, who played Peggy Mitchell on the popular soap and died at the age of 83 in 2020.

Her husband Scott Mitchell shared: "I am desperately sad and shocked to hear of how Anna has passed away. 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," Scott continued. "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," he added.

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