Jill Freud has died aged 98, her radio star daughter has confirmed. Jill, who played the Prime Minister’s housekeeper in Love Actually, died surrounded by her family as her daughter issued a statement reflecting on her mother’s incredible career. She wrote her mum had taken her “final bow” and said they had a loving evening together with her children, grandchildren and pizza.
BBC radio host Emma Freud continued: “She told us all to f*** off so she could sleep and then she never woke up. Her final words were ‘I love you’.” Emma explained that her mother had been evacuated to Oxford as a child and ended up living with author CS Lewis for three years; he used Jill for inspiration behind the character Lucy in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe.
Jill then became an actress and producer and ran theatre companies for 30 years, while Jill herself landed a role in Christmas classic Love Actually, which Emma credits as her last film role.
Sharing some memories of her mum she told her followers that she had the same lunch daily, a simple packet of crisps and a glass of red wine, and took tap class every morning during Covid when she was locked up with other members of her family.
Emma wrapped up the post by writing: “She was 98, mother of 5, grandmother of 17, great grandmother of 7 – she was feisty, outrageous, kind, loving and mischievous. Lucky old heaven getting such a dazzling newcomer.”
Jill also had acting credits in TV series Maigret, Crown Court, Rooms, and Torchy, The Battery Boy.
Tributes poured in from Emma’s co-workers and friends as they celebrated her mum, with Julia Bradbury writing: “Oh Emma so sorry for your loss, but I know you must be so proud of your loving mum. What a beautiful way to move on to the next world. With you all. Wishing you all comfort and love.”
Donna Ida wrote: “Now this is the way to do life, thinking of you dear Emma and the lovely mum you were so lucky to have for so long.”
Channel 4’s Clare Balding added: “What a woman and what a way to leave the stage. She was so special. Sending lots of love.”
Others were sharing their support for their friend while praising her mum, with one user writing: “What a life! Thinking of you and sending much love,” while another said: “So much love,” and a third wrote: “Love wrapped around you all.”
