Waterloo Road actress Lorraine Cheshire dies age 65

Waterloo Road actress Lorraine Cheshire has died age 65. 

In an emotional update on Friday, her partner John Dixon shared the heartbreaking news to Facebook. 

Lorraine is best known for her role as Fleur Budgen from 2007 to 2012 in the school-based Channel 4 drama and Sue Benson in the Sky sitcom Trollied.

John wrote: 'The love of my life passed away early this morning 46 years, and now my heart is broken. To the green fields beyond.'

Her Trollied co-star Chanel Cresswell added her own tribute to Instagram and said: ‘I can’t quite believe I’m writing this. 

'I’ll always cherish the advice you gave and the most wonderful friendship. The naughty laughs we had. The memories we shared.'

She concluded: 'Lozza thank you for being a friend to me. I’ll miss you so so much. I’m shocked, and so so sad. 

'You was one of a kind. Rest in peace.'

Lorraine didn't begin acting until the age of 35 and secured her first role a few years later in BBC series Cranford.

She made appearances in Holby City, Clocking Off and featured in a main role in sitcom Early Doors. 

Lorraine first starred in Waterloo Road as English teacher Fleur Budgen in 2007, which she played for five years. 

In series six her character was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's disease with fans of the show seeing her put in a nursing home by the end of the season. 

The following series Fleur suffered a stroke and passed away, leaving her husband Grantley devastated. 

Lorraine started working on Trollied in 2011 and starred on the series until its finale in 2018. 

The show centred around a fictional supermarket and its staff in Warrington, Cheshire. 

The actress played customer service assistant Sue, who spent all day gossiping with other members of staff. 

Following the end of Trollied, she starred in Ackley Bridge as one of the main characters, school secretary Lorraine Bird. 

Lorraine starred on the series until her last appearance in 2022.