Sylvia Syms death: Ice Cold in Alex star dies aged 89

Sylvia Syms, best known for her leading role in Ice Cold in Alex, has died aged 89.

The British actor “died peacefully” early on Friday (27 January) morning at Denville Hall, a London care home for those in the entertainment industry, her children shared in a statement.

“Our mother, Sylvia, died peacefully this morning. She has lived an amazing life and gave us joy and laughter right up to the end,” Beatie and Ben Edney said.

“Just yesterday we were reminiscing together about all our adventures. She will be so very missed.”

They added: “We would also like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at Denville Hall for the truly excellent care they have taken of our Mum over the past year.”

Born in Woolwich, London in 1934 to Daisy and Edwin Syms, Syms was raised in Well Hall, Elthan.

She studied at prestigious drama school Rada before gaining her first on-screen credit in an episode of the 1955 series Terminus.

She went on to star in well over 100 films and TV shows, her most well-known being the war-drama Ice Cold in Alex (1958) and crime thriller Victim (1961).

A year after she broke into film and television, Syms married Alan Edney in 1956. Syms and Edney had two children, daughter Beatie and son Ben, both of whom are also actors. The couple divorced in 1989.

Syms received three Bafta acting nominations over the course of her career for her roles in Woman in a Dressing Gown (1957), No Trees in the Street (1959) and The Tamarind Seed (1974).

Her most recent role came in 2019, when she appeared in an episode of BBC historical drama Gentleman Jack.

Following the news of her passing, several actors and high-profile names honoured Syms on social media.

EastEnders actor Stuart Antony said he was “saddened to hear the wonderful Sylvia Syms” died, tweeting: “She was truly lovely every time I met her. What a loss.”