Kathryn Apanowicz has died at the age of 64 as friends pay tribute to the actor.

Apanowicz, who was the partner of former Countdown host Richard Whiteley, has died after reportedly suffering from a long illness.

That actor appeared in a variety of TV shows including soaps such as Emmerdale, Coronation Street, EastEnders, and the 1980s show, Angels.

Christa Ackroyd, a friend and former ITV reporter, confirmed her death on Facebook.

The tribute read: ‘Reunited with her beloved Richard. I will miss you so much my lovely friend. What adventures we had. The world will always be a duller place without you….’

Apanowicz and Whiteley were in a relationship from 1994 until his death in 2005 aged 61 from heart problems.

After his death, she released a novel titled  Richard by Kathryn: The Life of Richard Whiteley and donated his glasses overseas in a charitable move that was documented in BBC’s Inside Out programme in 2007.

She started her TV career as a child performer in Yorkshire Television’s Junior Show Time and in the film Bugsy Malone.

After appearing in various soaps in the 80s, in the 90s moved into presenting and hosted the talk show Afternoon Live.

In 2000, she went on to become a regular presenter on the ITV daytime magazine show Live Talk (an early version of Loose Women).

She was also a radio presenter, appearing on BBC Radio Leeds and as a guest presenter on BBC Radio York.

Her former ITV Calander colleague Ian White paid tribute to the star on X: ‘What a huge response there has been to the news our friend Kathryn Apanowicz has died aged 64. Thank you for all the kind comments.

‘Kathryn was full of fun and positivity and a joy to spend time with. Always a hoot! She will be greatly missed.’

‘So sorry to hear of the death of Kathryn Apanowicz. While only a small part of her career, she made a big impression as Mags in the 80s on #EastEnders. Very fondly remembered,’ said LikeATattoooooo.

‘So sad to hear about the death of Kathryn Apanowicz who actually held the ‘CHEE’ record for appearing in all four major soap operas,’ said camjmes0.

‘Just hearing the terrible news that Kathryn Apanowicz has passed away. She was a kind lady with a lovely smile. Only 65 too. She’s gone to be with Whiteley now, Mr Countdown himself. R.I.P. x’ said MrJackTech.

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