Cleo Sylvestre dead: Grange Hill star dies aged 79 as tributes paid to trailblazing actress who will be ‘sorely missed’
GRANGE Hill star Cleo Sylvestre has died at age 79.
Sylvestre, who played a social worker in the TV drama series, had also appeared in the Channel 5 reboot of All Creatures Great and Small.
She featured in The Bill, New Tricks, Till Death Do Us Part, Doctors, Coronation Street and Doctor Who, and was made an MBE in the 2023 New Year Honours for services to drama and charity.
Sylvestre was known for being the first black actress to take on a leading role at the National Theatre, appearing in Peter Nichols’ satire The National Health in 1969.
Fulcrum Talent, her agents, told BBC News: “Much-loved and admired by her peers, she will be remembered as a trail blazer and a true friend.
“She will be sorely missed by so many. We ask that you respect the privacy of her family at this difficult time.”
Sylvestre also released a version of To Know Him is to Love Him in 1964 during a brief singing career.
The track fetured The Rolling Stones as backing vocals.
Sylvestre was born in April 1945 and grew up in Camden before pursuing her acting career.
She would regularly work with British film director and screenwriter Ken Loach, including on his first film Poor Cow and later productions Up the Junction and Cathy Come Home.
She was cast in ITV’s Crossroads – playing Meg Richardson’s adopted daughter Melanie – after being spotted by producer Reg Watson, following her appearance on BBC Two’s Some Women.
Her appearance on the popular soap between 1970 and 1972 helped propel her to national renown.
It had an audience of around 15 million viewers at the time.
Tributes have been pouring in for the actress online.
Playwright Bonnie Greer wrote on X: “The actor #CleoSylvestreMBE has crossed over.
“She was one of the reasons that-from my vantage point in NYC-that I thought that this country has the best anglophone theatre… and the best place to be a #BlackWoman in it.
“I still think that. Thank you, Cleo!”
Sylvestre’s daughter, Zoe Laureen Palmer, retweeted the tribute, and wrote her own.
She said: “Our beloved, inspirational mum @CleoSylvestre crossed over this morning.
“With thanks to the teams @NHSHomerton and #therlh who cared for her so brilliantly over the past three weeks.
“Rest in power mum, see you on the dancefloor.”
One fan wrote: “RIP Cleo Sylvestre. One of the first black actresses to have a role in a British Soap. Crossroads in the 1960s… Sad to hear this.”