Actor Jo Bacon who starred in one of the most iconic scenes in Love Actually has died aged 72.
‘Brilliant’ actor Bacon starred alongside Hugh Grant as she played Natalie’s mother in the 2003 Christmas classic.
The famous scene shows Natalie, played by Martine McCutcheon, coming down the stairs to meet the Prime Minister – her love interest played by Grant – as her family stand at the door in awe.
Bacon was a hugely popular figure in television, theatre, film and ballet and also made appearances in EastEnders, Casualty, The Bill, Pie in the Sky, Little Britain, A Touch of Frost and New Tricks.
Her talent was also celebrated in glowing reviews for her performances in Breeders, where she played Jackie, the mother of Paul played by Martin Freeman.
Freeman paid his respects to Bacon, whose funeral took place yesterday following her diagnosis with cancer in January.
Celebrant Jo Moore said: ‘Jo’s talent as an actor was a gift that she shared with the world. On stage and on screen, she brought us joy, laughter, and inspiration, leaving an indelible mark on the lives of everyone she reached.
Actor Jo Bacon (left) who starred in one of the most iconic scenes in Love Actually has died aged 72
Bacon was a hugely popular figure in television, theatre, film and ballet and also made appearances in EastEnders , Casualty, The Bill, Pie in the Sky, Little Britain, A Touch of Frost and New Tricks
Bacon played Natalie’s mother in Love Actually. Pictured: Martine McCutcheon as Natalie and Hugh Grant as the Prime Minister
‘She was a woman of many talents and facets, and I would like to share with you a description of Jo, given by Gill, one of her lifelong friends: ”Jo’s life was a wonderful, elaborate, kaleidoscope with different sections for each of her passions and only Jo was at the centre and could see and enjoy the whole kaleidoscope. In many ways Jo was a contradiction – a flamboyant extrovert, a superb wit, a natural communicator and yet, at the same time, an introspective loner.
‘We all thought we knew her so well but, in reality, we each only knew and loved one aspect of her.”
Following her cancer diagnosis at the start of this year, Bacon said herself: ‘I have had a brilliant life. I have been so lucky to do the things I have done and to have met the wonderful people I have met. I have no regrets.’
Another good friend Barry Bowen said: ‘The thing I remember and love most about her I suspected in those early local days and it proved true in spades as the years went by… her unfailing loyalty to her friends.
‘If Jo had wanted to be anything other than the humble person we all knew, she was so well equipped to be a name dropper. Sharing stages and studios with the likes of Redgrave, O’Toole, Mirren, Bates, Rickman, Grant, Firth and Freeman were a silent compliment to her.’
