Comedian, actor and writer Victoria Wood has died at 62 following a short battle with cancer. She was best known for her BBC shows such as As Seen On TV (featuring show-within-a-show Acorn Antiques) and Dinnerladies. Both of these featured her long-time collaborator Julie Walters. She was also a Bafta-winning actress for her role in ITV's Housewife, 49, a drama written by her and set in a Lancashire town during the Second World War.

In this gallery, we look back at the life and career of one of Britain's best-loved entertainers.

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Victoria Wood, 1979 Roy Jones/ Getty Images
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Comedienne and writer Victoria Wood with Warren Mitchell of 'Alf Garnett' fame,1980 Evening Standard/ Getty Images
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Victoria Wood in 1984 Getty Images
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Members of the cast of Acorn Antiques (1985 to 1987), including Julie Walters, Victoria Wood and Celia Imrie BBC
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Victoria Wood with cast members of Dinnerladies (1998-2000) BBC
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Victoria Wood arrives at the UK premiere for The League Of Gentlemen's Apocalypse in London on 1 June 2005 Getty Images
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Housewife, 49 (2006) ITV
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Comedian Victoria Wood poses with her award for Best Single Drama for 'Housewife, 49' at the The British Academy Television Awards 2007 at the Palladium, London Getty Images
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Victoria Wood attends the 35th International Emmy Awards Gala at the New York Hilton on 19 November 2007 in New York City Getty Images
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Jennifer Saunders and Victoria Wood watch the Betty Jackson show during London Fashion Week on 12 February 2008 Getty Images
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Victoria Wood attends the Chortle Comedy Awards, 2011 Getty Images
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Victoria Wood attends the British Comedy Awards, London, 2011 Carl Court/ AFP
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Victoria Wood attends the BAFTA Television Craft Awards, 2014 Stuart C. Wilson/ Getty Images
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Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton in That Day We Sang (2014) written by Victoria Wood BBC
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Victoria Wood, Michael Ball, Sophie Hunter and Benedict Cumberbatch talk with Princess Anne as they attend a reception and dinner in support of Motor Neurone Disease Association at Buckingham Palace on 10 March 2015 Getty Images
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Victoria Wood attends the British Academy Television Craft Awards in London, on 26 April 2015 Stuart C. Wilson/ Getty Images

Her publicist, Neil Reading, said: "Victoria Wood has sadly passed away, after a short but brave battle with cancer. The multi Bafta award-winning writer, director, actor and comedian died peacefully at her north London home with family this morning. She was 62. The family ask for privacy at this very sad time."

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