Carol Channing death: Hello Dolly star dies aged 97

Broadway star Carol Channing has died at the age of 97.

The actress, best known for her role as Dolly Levi in musical Hello, Dolly!, died of natural causes at her home in California, according to Sky News.

Channing’s publicist B. Harlan Boll told of the “extreme heartache” as he announced the death of “an original industry pioneer, legend and icon.”

Making the announcement online, he wrote: “You had us at HELLO, DOLLY!

“It is with extreme heartache, that I have to announce the passing of an original Industry Pioneer, Legend and Icon - Miss Carol Channing.

“I admired her before I met her, and have loved her since the day she stepped into my life.”

Born in in 1921, Channing grew up in Seattle, Washington with father George Channing and his wife Adelaide.

She dropped out of Bennington University after a year of studying and moved to New York to make her on-stage debut in Never Take No for an Answer in 1941.

She went on to win three Tony Awards, including the Best Lead Actress in a Musical for Hello Dolly! in 1964 and the Lifetime Achievement gong in 1995 after a Broadway career spanning over 40 years.

Whilst Channing was known for her prolific stage career, she also saw Hollywood success, earning the Supporting Actress gong at the 1968 Golden Globes for film Thoroughly Modern Millie.

Channing was awarded the Special Tony Award in 2017, paying homage to her extensive career both on and off the stage.