Carol Vorderman pays tribute to Oscar-winning actress and former MP Glenda Jackson who has died at age 87

Carol Vorderman has paid tribute to former Labour Politician Glenda Jackson, who sadly passed away on Thursday (June 15) at age 87. The former Countdown star, 62, who lives in Bristol, took to Twitter following the announcement to pay tribute to the Oscar-winning actress.

Carol Vorderman, who has been very vocal about her own political views, said: “A part of my growing up years... Watching the Oscar winning actress Glenda Jackson be her extraordinary self. And then to see this unique woman turn into a firebrand in politics was deeply impressive for young girls like me. May she Rest In Peace." Carol also re-tweeted a tribute post that included photos of Glenda through the years.

Glenda rose to fame after appearing in the 1969 drama Women in Love, alongside Oliver Reed. She went on to be known for her outstanding performances in films like Sunday Bloody Sunday (1971), Mary, Queen of Scots (1971) and A Touch of Glass (1973).

The award-winning actress  retired from acting in 1991, so that she could devote herself to politics full-time. She soon became a Labour MP for Hampstead and Highgate then for Hampstead and Kilburn, from 1992 until 2015. After retiring from Politics, she returned to acting with appearances on stage in King Lear (2016) at London’s Old Vic Theatre and on screen in BBC drama, Elizabeth is Missing (2019).

Glenda’s agent Lionel Larner announced the sad news of her passing in a statement, saying: “Glenda Jackson, two-time Academy Award-winning actress and politician, died peacefully at her home in Blackheath, London, this morning after a brief illness, with her family at her side. She recently completed filming The Great Escaper, in which she co-starred with Michael Caine.”