TRIBUTES have been paid to Tony Award nominated actress Dilys Watling, who has died aged 78 following a long illness.

Dilys was born to actors Ion Rhys Jones and Patricia Hicks in Fulmer Chase, Buckinghamshire, on May 5, 1943.

Her father, a Lancaster Bomber pilot, was killed in action during the Second World War and her mother later married actor Jack Watling.

After attending St Mary's Convent School, in Woodford, Essex, and acting school, she went on to perform in repertory theatre at the Bristol Old Vic.

She was nominated for a Tony Award in 1970 for best leading actress in a musical for her debut in Georgy on Broadway in New York.

Dilys also appeared on stage in Pickwick in 1964, Sweeney Todd in 1980, and Time in 1986.

Her movie credits included comedy Two Left Feet and crime film Calculated Risk in 1963 and horror flick Theatre of Death in 1967.

She also appeared as Merle Baker in Coronation Street, and starred on The Benny Hill Show and in The Two Ronnies.

Dilys has four half-siblings, including Dr Who actress Deborah Watling, who died in 2017, and actor and Clacton MP Giles Watling.

She married Australian Bruce Anderson, from whom she divorced, and later married Owen Teale, with whom she has son Ion.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Giles said: “Dilys was a much-loved sister and was the eldest of the five of us.

“She led the way and was a real trailblazer for the rest of us.

“She took Broadway by storm in the late 1960s, playing the eponymous role of Georgy – and we were proud when she was nominated for a Tony Award.

“She also released a couple of singles, including Don’t Say You Love Me, which made it into the charts in 1964.

“She was eccentric in many ways, but was always incredibly generous, warm and loving.

“In her last few days, she recounted stories of her life that we thought she had long-since forgotten.

“After a long illness, she passed away peacefully.”

Dilys died at her home in Clapham Common South Side on Tuesday, August 10. She leaves son Ion.