Emma Chambers dead: Vicar of Dibley and Notting Hill star dies aged 53

Actress Emma Chambers, who starred in The Vicar of Dibley and Notting Hill, has died aged 53.

In a statement on Saturday her agency said "she brought laughter and joy to many" and would be "greatly missed".

She died from natural causes on Wednesday evening.

The actress, who was born in Doncaster, also had a role in a television adaptation of Martin Chuzzlewit.

Between 1994 and 2007 she played Alice Tinker in The Vicar of Dibley, alongside Dawn French's Geraldine Granger, and in 1999 Honey in Notting Hill, opposite Hugh Grant's William Thacker.

Actor James Dreyfus, who starred alongside Chambers in Notting Hill, paid tribute on Twitter.

He said: "RIP the wonderful and talented Emma Chambers. Unique & unspeakably funny. Too young. Thoughts with her family."

Broadcaster Emma Freud, wife of The Vicar of Dibley's creator Richard Curtis, tweeted: "Our beautiful friend Emma Chambers has died at the age of 53. We're very very sad.

"She was a great, great comedy performer, and a truly fine actress. And a tender, sweet, funny, unusual, loving human being."

Posting a clip of Chambers in the Vicar of Dibley, she added: "How could you not love this girl. Emma Chambers... thank you for the brilliance."

Television presenter Jeremy Clarkson wrote: "I'm sad about Emma Chambers. Knew her when she was a kid in Doncaster. She was very funny."

A statement from her agency said: "Over the years, Emma created a wealth of characters and an immense body of work.

"She brought laughter and joy to many, and will be greatly missed."

In 1998, Chambers won the British Comedy Award for best TV actress for her role in The Vicar of Dibley.

She is survived by her husband, actor Ian Dunn.