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Love Really star Jill Freud has died on the age of 98.
Jill Freud and husband Sir Clement Freud in 1992
The “feisty, outrageous, type, loving and mischievous” star – who performed the Downing Road housekeeper within the beloved 2003 Christmas rom-com film – handed away surrounded by her family members, her household introduced on Monday (24.11.25).
In a touching assertion, Jill’s 63-year-old daughter, broadcaster Emma Freud – who’s married to 69-year-old Love Really director Richard Curtis – stated: “My lovely 98-year-old mum has taken her closing bow.
“After a loving night – the place we knew she was on her approach – surrounded by youngsters, grandchildren and pizza, she advised us all to f*** off so she might fall asleep. After which she by no means awoke. Her closing phrases had been ‘I really like you’.”
Aged 16, Jill – born June Flewett in London on April 22, 1927 – was evacuated to author C. S. Lewis’ home in Oxford throughout World Warfare Two, and gave the literary scholar inspiration for the character Lucy in his 1950 fantasy novel, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.
Emma continued: “As a toddler, she was evacuated to Oxford and ended up dwelling with C. S. Lewis for 3 years … he based mostly the character of Lucy in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe on her.
“She grew to become an actress/producer and ran two rep theatre firms in Suffolk for 30 years – using 100s of actors who liked her for her ardour, her care, her shepherd’s pie, her devotion to regional theatre and her dedication to actors’ rights.
“Her final movie position was because the housekeeper at Downing Road in Love Really.”
Regardless of her final movie credit score coming in 2003, Jill nonetheless stored herself busy.
Emma added: “She had the identical lunch each day – a glass of purple wine and a packet of crisps, and through COVID, aged 93, locked up with three different Freud gals, she took half in a faucet class each morning.
“She was 98, mother-of-five, grandmother-of-17, great-grandmother-of-seven – she was feisty, outrageous, type, loving and mischievous. Fortunate outdated heaven getting such a stunning newcomer. Jill Freud.”
Emma’s 30-year-old daughter, author Scarlett Curtis, additionally paid a shifting tribute to her “power of nature” grandmother.
Scarlett wrote on Instagram: “My grandmother by no means wished to be addressed as such. She was not ‘granny’, she was Woman Jill Freud; actress, faucet dancer, chief, pal.
“Woman Jill was a power of nature. She swum, acted and faucet danced till she was in her 90s. She flirted, drank and laughed till the top.”
And he or she revealed an outrageous second the pair shared just lately.
Scarlett continued: “She liked by means of motion and organisation; operating her theatre firm, directing and starring in our lockdown manufacturing of The Significance of Being Earnest, asking me if I wished to borrow her vibrator once I advised her I used to be lonely throughout COVID.
“She was not one for cuddles, however she constructed the house that has saved my life 12 months after 12 months. The place I really feel happiest, most secure, most inventive, most held and guarded. She additionally created my favorite human on the planet @emmafreud – and for that alone we must always all be grateful.
“Woman Jill Freud didn’t need to be a granny, however she was mine. And I used to be the luckiest to have her for 30 years.
“I’m undecided what occurs subsequent. However I do imagine we are going to meet once more. And I additionally imagine that after we do, I’ll have to affix a f****** lengthy queue of individuals determined to see you after such bittersweet time aside.”
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