Actress Jo Bacon has died at the age of 72 as tributes for the "brilliant" actor flood in online. Joanne 'Jo' Bacon famously played the role of of Natalie's mum in the 2003 Christmas film Love Actually and shared the screen with Hugh Grant when he knicked on the door of their south London house looking for Martine McCutcheon's character.

Bacon, who was a beloved actress across the world of TV, film, theatre, and ballet, also boasted roles in EastEnders, The Bill, Casualty and the children's show Horrible Histories. She also worked on Pie in the Sky, Little Britain, A Touch of Frost, and New Tricks. She won rave reviews for her performances throughout her career, including most notably in Breeders where she played Jackie, the mum of Paul, played by Martin Freeman.

The Sherlock star was one of the many actors who paid their respects to Bacon at her funeral yesterday (July 15). The 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. 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.

"[It reads]: Jo's life was a wonderful, elaborate, kaleidoscope with different sections for each of her passions and only Jo was at the centre anc ould 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 devastating cancer diagnosis in January, Jo herself said: "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."

Bacon's close friend Patrick Roberts spoke passionately as he recalled Jo's love life, love of travel, and love of animals. The funeral was full of applause, laughter, and tears as the congregation listened to a string of sweet and humourous anecdotes about her life and career.

Another close friend Barry Bowen added: "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, Rockman, Grant, Firth, and Freeman were a silent compliment to her."

Attendees heeard how Bacon started her career back int he 1960s and 1970s through amateur dramatic groups in Hatfield Heath and Harlow, Essex. Adn as she began to soar as an actress, Bacon remained a constant supporter of local theatre groups near her home in Hatfield Heath and regularly attended many performances of the Heath Players, Harlow Ballet and at Harlow Playhouse.

Her coffin left the venue at GreenAcres Epping as the hit Rolling Stones single Honky Tonk Woman played. As a huge animal lover, particularly for dogs, she asked her family and friends to make donations to a local charity called Mutts in Distress.