Coleman (centre) won a Bafta nomination for her Four Weddings role

She won a Royal Television Society award and a Bafta nomination for her role in 1991's drama Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit.

Another Bafta nomination came her way for her Four Weddings role as Scarlett, the chaotic and eccentric flatmate of Hugh Grant's character, four years later.

After her death, Geoffrey Perkins, head of BBC comedy, said: "Charlotte was a charming and wonderfully eccentric person. She bought these qualities and more to the roles she played. She will be sadly missed."

She was found dead in her flat in Holloway, north London, on Wednesday by her actress mother Ann Beach.

'Rare creature'

Her father, retired producer Francis Coleman, said the actress had always suffered from asthma, and had two or three inhalers, but had never experienced a major attack.

Mr Coleman, 77, said his daughter was taken to Whittington Hospital in north London, but was pronounced dead on arrival.

She had been in great spirits when they had last seen her, the day before she died, she said.

"The family is devastated. We loved her and she was a rare creature who the camera loved."

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