Maureen Lipman became most famous for her role as Beattie in the BT ads.
Lipman has played numerous roles on TV including as the agony aunt Jane Lucas in Agony.
Maureen Lipman has written several books and regular columns in the national press.
Her work in the theatre includes Re-Joyce, a tribute to Joyce Grenfell.
In 1999, Maureen Lipman was awarded the CBE for services to comedy and drama.
In 2004, her husband, the playwright Jack Rosenthal, died of cancer.
In 2007, Maureen Lipman played Sue Shortstop in the BBC series Sensitive Skin.
She acted alongside Anne Reid in the sitcom Ladies of Letters.
