Tributes flood in after the sudden death of actress Marian Diamond, confirmed by close friend Miriam Margolyes
The British acting world is in mourning following the sudden death of Marian Diamond, a much-loved actress whose career spanned decades across television, radio and stage. She was 89.
The news was confirmed in an emotional social media tribute by her close friend and fellow actress Miriam Margolyes, who said she felt “utterly bereft” after learning of Diamond’s death. According to Margolyes, the actress died at University College Hospital in London on Monday, 5 January.
Margolyes, 84, shared a deeply personal reflection on their long friendship, revealing that they first met in Edinburgh in the late 1960s. From that moment on, she said, Diamond became someone she cherished both professionally and personally. The pair went on to work together in radio after Margolyes joined the BBC Drama Repertory Company, forging a bond that lasted for decades.
In her tribute, Margolyes described Diamond as “one of the angels in our business”, praising her generosity, warmth and unwavering interest in the success of others. She remembered her friend as beautiful, gentle, wise and perceptive, adding that her sudden passing had left an irreplaceable void.
“She was endlessly generous, interested in others and thrilled by their success,” Margolyes wrote. “A unique spirit has been taken very suddenly away from us.”
Diamond’s death also reopened wounds from previous losses in her life. Margolyes noted that Diamond’s sister, casting director Gillian Diamond, and her close friend, actor Hugh Dickson, both died in 2018. Gillian’s sons survive Marian Diamond, and Margolyes expressed hope that funeral details would be shared so friends could properly honour her life. “She deserves a full house,” she said.
Another heartfelt tribute came from stage manager Paul Jackson, who said he was deeply saddened after learning of Diamond’s death through Margolyes’ post. Jackson recalled a friendship spanning 35 years, highlighting Diamond’s support for Play School and her involvement in preserving the programme’s history.
Although Diamond had been dealing with health issues in recent years, Jackson said it was a joy to see her in December 2024 when she attended a special screening of a previously missing Play School episode from 1965. The event brought together several figures connected to the show’s early years, and Diamond had been thrilled to be part of it.
Marian Diamond was widely respected for her distinctive voice work, becoming a familiar presence across BBC radio and television. She contributed to numerous productions, including Play School, and narrated episodes of the children’s storytelling programme Jackanory, often working with material by C. S. Lewis.
Her voice also reached fantasy audiences when she played the role of Galadriel, the Lady of the Woods, in a 1981 radio adaptation of The Lord of the Rings.
On screen, Diamond built a strong reputation through appearances in iconic 1960s television series such as The Avengers, Sherlock Holmes and The Idiot. In later years, she continued acting in well-known dramas including Brookside, The Ruth Rendell Mysteries and The Armando Ianucci Shows.
Friends and colleagues have consistently described Diamond as a gentle soul who quietly dedicated much of her life to helping others beyond the spotlight. Her sudden death has sent shockwaves through the industry, leaving those who knew her struggling to come to terms with the loss of a woman remembered as kind, selfless and deeply loved.