<\/p>
EastEnders star Mona Hammond has died at the age of 91.<\/p>\n
Soap fans will remember the actor\u2019s residency on Albert Square, where she played Blossom Jackson from 1994 until 1997, plus a further two episodes in October 2010, who was an important figure in the lives of great-grandson Billie as well as adoptive grandchildren Bianca, Sonia and Robbie.<\/p>\n
Although popular, Hammond left the soap after a relatively brief tenure, which tabloids reported at the time was due to its intense shooting schedule.<\/p>\n
Prior to being cast as Blossom, Hammond had enjoyed a successful stage career during which she often collaborated with Black writers, including Michael Abbensetts, Alfred Fagon and Mustapha Matura.<\/p>\n
She went on to be a founding member of the Talawa Theatre Company in 1986, which still operates to this day under the mission to \u201cchampion Black excellence in theatre\u201d.<\/p>\n
For her contributions to the theatre industry over a decades-long career, she was awarded a RADA fellowship in 2019, which recognises leading figures \u201cboth high profile and unsung\u201d.<\/p>\n
Following her departure from EastEnders, Hammond continued working on television with later projects including BAFTA-winning children\u2019s drama Pig Heart Boy, miniseries White Teeth as well as crime dramas A Touch of Frost and Whitechapel.<\/p>\n
In 2006, she appeared in Russell T Davies\u2019s reinvention of Doctor Who, where she played Mickey Smith\u2019s grandmother Rita-Anne in a parallel universe.<\/p>\n
She returned to EastEnders for a brief stint in 2010, reprising the role of Blossom to make an appearance at the funeral of great-grandson Billie (portrayed by Devon Anderson).<\/p>\n
On the big screen, she had small roles in Roland Emmerich blockbuster 10,000 BC and Shakespeare adaptation Coriolanus, which also starred Ralph Fiennes and Vanessa Redgrave.<\/p>\n
An EastEnders spokesperson has paid tribute to Hammond, saying: \u201cWe are deeply saddened to hear that Mona Hammond has passed away. Mona created a no nonsense grandmother in Blossom Jackson, who was adored by the audience and everyone who worked with her. Our love and thoughts are with Mona\u2019s family and friends.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tributes have also been shared to social media following news of Hammond\u2019s passing.<\/p>\n
Loose Women and ITV News presenter Charlene White thanked her for her work, describing her as a \u201ctrailblazer in every way\u201d.<\/p>\n
Mona Hammond, a trailblazer in every way. Thank-you \u2764\ufe0fxx pic.twitter.com\/wgc16gW35Y<\/a><\/p>\u2014 Charlene White (@CharleneWhite) July 5, 2022<\/a><\/blockquote>