Terribly sad: Louise Plowright dies of pancreatic cancer, aged 59

On a day full of sombre news, we learn of the death of Louise Plowright, a much-loved singing actor whose desperate struggle to find a cure for her cancer was supported by many Slipped Disc readers.

Louise, whose sister is the opera soprano Rosalind Plowright, raised £140,000 for treatment in Korea.

But relief was shortlived and other treatments were sought in Europe. Louise’s death was announced today by the cast of the West End musical Wicked, where she sang for the last time.

Our sympathies to Ros and the rest of the family.

UPDATE: Ros has posted:

Utterly devastated by the passing of my darling Lou at 1pm today in Duderstadt, Germany. Istvan, her wonderful husband, myself, my sisters Marion and Laura and my brother Richard were there with her. A great light has gone out in our lives.