EastEnders and Doctor Who actress Pamela Salem dies aged 80

Pamela Salem has died aged 80 (Picture: Peter Stuart/REX/Shutterstock)

EastEnders star and James Bond actress Pamela Salem has died aged 80.

Salem played Miss Moneypenny in the 007 film starring Sean Connery, Never Say Never Again.

She also starred in two Doctor Who series’, The Robots of Death in 1977 and Remembrance of the Daleks in 1988.

Salem reprised her role as Professor Rachel Jensen in spin-off series Counter-Measures.

Her other credits include a recurring role in sitcom French Fields and appearances in All Creatures Great and Small and The West Wing.

She played Joanne Francis across 37 episodes of EastEnders between 1988 and 1989.

Big Fish Insider announced the news of her death, writing: ‘We are utterly heartbroken to confirm the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Pamela Salem.’

She has been remembered as ‘the kindest, most generous actor’ (Picture: Neville Marriner/ANL/REX/Shutterstock)

Paying tribute, producer David Richardson said: ‘She was a very gentle person – always interested in everyone, from her co-stars to the production team to the guest actors and visitors.

‘She talked with joy about her home on Miami Beach, waking up to warmth and waves, and she knew all about our lives and families and life stories.’

Actress Karen Gledhill added: ‘Pamela was the kindest, most generous actor I have ever worked with. Back in the 80s on Remembrance of the Daleks (my first proper TV job), she took me under her wing and led me through a wonderful but slightly daunting experience.

Salem starred in Doctor Who, EastEnders and James Bond (Picture: Calyx/REX/Shutterstock)

‘We became friends, and whenever we met were always so pleased to see each other. Counter-Measures was a total bonus – nearly eight years of regular contact with this unique woman, whose talent and professionalism shone like the star she was – what a privilege to have worked with her.’

Salem was born in Bombay, India, in 1944 and attended university in Germany, before beginning her acting career in London, and then moving to Los Angeles in the 1990s.

As well as appearing in Blake’s 7 and The Tripods, Salem also held roles as a co-writer and producer of radio and theatre productions with her husband Michael O’Hagan.

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