O riginal EastEnders actress Sandy Ratcliff has died at a care home in north London, aged 70, according to reports. Ratcliff, who played Sue Osman on the BBC soap from 1985 to 1989, was remembered by Nejdet Salih, who played her onscreen husband Ali. “It’s very sad,” he told The Sun. “I remember the first time I auditioned for the show, we had this instant chemistry and banter. “I was a young actor and she helped me develop so much.” Salih recalled learning lines at Ratcliff’s flat, which she shared at the time with her son William. Originals: Sandy Ratcliff (far right) with the EastEnders cast in 1985 / BBC He finished: “At the end of the show I think she had had enough, there was a lot of pressure on us back then. I think she just wanted to go.” The pair tackled storylines from cot death to divorce, with Ratcliff’s character later battling depression as a result. Ratcliff started her career in Ken Loach’s BAFTA-nominated Family Life in 1971 where she played a schizophrenic teenage girl. EastEnders original cast - In pictures 1 /7 EastEnders original cast - In pictures Actors Linda Davidson and Tom Watt pictured on the exterior set of the BBC soap opera 'EastEnders', September 29th 1986. Don Smith/Radio Times/Getty Images The first episode of EastEnders is broadcast February 19, 1985. Den Watts (Leslie Grantham), Angie Watts (Anita Dobson), Lofty (Tom Watt), Wicksy (Nick Berry), Ethel Skinner (Gretchen Franklin) and Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylforth) BBC A picture of the cast released on the shows 30th anniversay BBC Linda Davidson as Mary Associated Newspapers Eastenders original cast Back (l-r) Bill Treacher (Arthur Fowler) Gillian Taylforth (Kathy Beale) David Scarboro (Mark Fowler) Adam Woodyatt (Ian Beale) Leslie Granntham (Den Watts) Tom Watt (Lofty Holloway) Nedjet Salih (Ali Osman) Andrew Johnson (Saeed Jeffrey) Front (l-r) Peter Dean (Pete Beale) Wendy Richard died 26 Feb 2009 (Pauline Fowler) Shirley Cheriton (Debbie Wilkins) Letitia Dean (Sharon Watts) Gretchen Franklin (died July 2005) (Ethel Skinner) Sandy Ratcliffe. BBC Actors Susan Tully and Tom Watt, Associated Newspapers 'Eastenders' original cast. Bill Treacher (Arthur Fowler) Gillian Taylforth (Kathy Beale) David Scarboro (DEAD 4/88) (Mark Fowler) Adam Woodyatt (Ian Beale) Leslie Grantham (Den Watts) Tom Watt (Lofty Holloway) Nedjet Salih (Ali Osman) Andrew Johnson (Saeed Jeffrey) Peter Dean (Pete Beale) Wendy Richard (Pauline Fowler) Shirley Cheriton (Debbie Wilkins) Letitia Dean (Sharon Watts) Gretchen Franklin (died July 2005) (Ethel Skinner) Sandy Ratcliffe. BBC She enjoyed roles in a handful of films and TV shows including Minder and The Sweeney before landing the role of Sue in EastEnders when it debuted in 1985. She battled a drug addiction on leaving the show in 1989. Speaking to The Sun years later she said: “I had a hard time when I left the show. There were stories about my drug addiction, and I was quite an innocent, even in my thirties.” She revealed in 2010 that she had retrained as a counsellor, before retiring.<doc-sep>EastEnders fans have said they are “disappointed” after the BBC One soap failed to dedicate tonight’s episode to Sandy Ratcliff, who has died aged 70. The actress spent four years on Albert Square between 1985 and 1989, and was one of the long-running show’s original cast members. Tuesday’s episode was the first since her death was reported and viewers were upset when it ended without a tribute. One fan suggested: “You could have dedicate tonight’s episode to late star Sandy Ratcliff,” before posting a crying emoji. #eastenders you could have dedicate tonightâs episode to late star Sandy Ratcliff 😢😢 — Jason hayes 🖐🖐 (@bluewhale111) April 9, 2019 Another said they expected better, adding: “Come on @bbceastenders you could acknowledge here on Twitter and instagram Sandy Ratcliff’s death. I expected more of you.” Another said they felt let down by the well-loved soap, saying: “A bit disappointing #EastEnders didn’t dedicate that episode to Sandy Ratcliff – one of the original stars who died yesterday.” A bit disappointing #EastEnders didn't dedicate that episode to Sandy Ratcliff - one of the original stars who died yesterday. pic.twitter.com/C0olZNEhJC — Alex J Call (@AlexJCall) April 9, 2019 One more echoed that viewpoint, adding: “I’m a bit disappointed in @bbceastenders for not dedicating tonight’s episode to Sandy Ratcliff. “She was an original main cast member who was in the show for four years. Even Drama had the decency to record a voice-over to air before today’s Classic EastEnders.” I'm a bit disappointed in @bbceastenders for not dedicating tonight's episode to Sandy Ratcliffe. She was an original main cast member who was in the show for four years. Even Drama had the decency to record a voice-over to air before today's Classic #EastEnders. — Ben Gosling (@SteamTeam3211) April 9, 2019 Ratcliff, born Alexandra Ratcliff on October 2 1948, was known for her turn as the long-suffering wife of temperamental minicab boss Ali Osman, played by Nejdet Salih. Her alter-ego was at the centre of one of EastEnders’ bleakest storylines, which saw her on-screen baby die from cot death syndrome in June 1985. Earlier on Tuesday a spokesman for EastEnders had said: “We are saddened to hear about the passing of Sandy Ratcliff. Our thoughts are with her family and friends.” PA Media<doc-sep>Advertisement Original EastEnders cast member Sandy Ratcliff, who played the much-loved character Sue Osman before falling from the public eye, has been found dead aged 70 in a north London care home. Appearing as Osman from the first episode of the BBC1 soap in 1985 until 1989, she took on a number of tough storylines including when she lost her baby to cot death syndrome before divorcing her husband, Ali, soon after. This prompted a years-long exploration of mental health on the popular show as Sue struggled with the grieving process, depression and the breakdown of her marriage. Off-screen, Ratcliff faced her own personal battles with drink and drugs. In 1988, it was reported that she had an alcohol-fuelled bust-up with her boyfriend while holidaying in Tenerife before she was written out of the show because of a heroin addiction the following year. The mother-of-one to her son William also suffered three strokes and was later diagnosed with cancer. Ratcliff was found dead on Sunday morning. Her cause of death is not yet known and it has been reported to the coroner. Scroll down for video. Sandy Ratcliff, who played much-loved character Sue Osman in the soap, (right, with her husband Ali) was found dead in a north London care home on Sunday morning. The image of Ratcliff on the left is undated The cast of EastEnders celebrating the show's 15th anniversary in 1985 outside the set of Albert Square. Ratcliff is seen on the far right Nejdet Salih, who played Ali, paid tribute to his former co-star last night. 'It's very sad. I remember the first time I auditioned for the show, we had this instant chemistry and banter,' he told The Sun. 'I remember going to her flat to rehearse lines and her son William and boyfriend Tony would be there. She was a great mum. There was nothing she wouldn't do for William. 'She would try to take younger actors under her wing and had a great sense of humour. At the end of the show, I think she had had enough, there was a lot of pressure on us back then. I think she just wanted to go.' Following her death, a friend said she had been clean of drugs for some years but was forced to move into a care home due to poor health. Describing the emergency call-out on Sunday, an ambulance spokesman said: 'We sent two single responders in cars and an ambulance crew. Sadly, a person was found dead at the scene.' Ratcliff first became known as a model in the 1970s, when she was cast as 'The face of the 70s' by royal photographer Lord Snowdon. Sue was at the centre of the most bleak story line British soaps had ever seen when her baby died from cot death syndrome in June 1985. Afterwards, she and her husband Ali (pictured in 1985) broke up Nejdet Salih, who played Ali, paid tribute to the mother of one (seen here as Sue on EastEnders in the 1980s). 'It's very sad. I remember the first time I auditioned for the show, we had this instant chemistry and banter,' he said Before starring in her best-known EastEnders role, Ratcliff featured in Crossroads as Barbara Parker, the younger wife of series regular Vince Parker. She also appeared in BBC2 versions of A Box Of Swan and Men Of The Month. Ratcliff married photographer Peter Wright in 1968, but the couple broke up and by 1973 she had her only son, William, by theatre director Terence Palmer. One of her last public appearances was at the Old Bailey trial of her then boyfriend, Michael Shorey, who was found guilty of murdering two women in 1991. She claimed they were together when he was accused of murdering the woman, but the jury rejected her account and Shorey was jailed for life. Ratcliff then largely disappeared from the public eye and in 2005, it was reported that Ratcliff no longer used heroin and lived on a £70 a week disability allowance. Ratcliff (second from left) with BBC controller Michael Grade and fellow members of the EastEnders cast. Image undated After leaving the show in 1989, Ratcliff (seen in 1979) slipped into heroin addiction before later retraining as a counsellor Speaking in 2010, Ratcliffe admitted she had a 'hard time' following her EastEnders exit. She said: 'I had a hard time when I left the show. There were stories about my drug addiction, and I was quite an innocent, even in my thirties. 'Some of the things written about me hurt me and made me quite ill. But I recovered and moved on to other things.' Fans paid tribute to Ratcliff on Twitter, with one writing: 'So sad to hear of Sandy Ratcliff's passing. I've become a big fan of Sue Osman since I started watching #ClassicEastEnders and that's down to Sandy's performance. 'She was amazing during the cot death storyline.' Another tweeted: 'So very sad to hear of the death of former @Eastenders star #sandyratcliff I loved her as Sue Osman. Rest in peace Sue.' Ratcliff is survived by her son William, who has not yet spoken publicly about her death. Where are the members of the original EastEnders cast now? Actor Leonard Fenton, 92, is returning to Albert Square at the age of 1982, but how many other members of the original cast can you name? 1. Wendy Richard (Pauline Fowler). 2: Anna Wing (Lou Beale). 3: Linda Davidson (Mary Smith). 4: Ross Davidson (Andy O'Brien). 5: Shirley Cheriton (Debbie Wilkins). 6: Bill Treacher (Arthur Fowler). 7. Susan Tully (Michelle Fowler). 8. Letita Dean (sharon Watts). 9: Gretchen Franklin (Ethel Skinner). 10: Willy the pug. 11: Roly the poodle. 12: Leslie Grantham (Den Watts). 12. Anita Dobson (Angie Watts). 14: Tom Watt (Lofty Holloway). 15: Leonard Fenton (Dr Legg). 16: Andrew Johnson (Saeed Jeffrey). 17: John Altman (Nick Cotton). 18: June Brown (Dot Cotton). 19: Paul J. Medford (Kelvin Carpenter). 20. Oscar James (Tony Carpenter). 21: Sandy Ratcliff (Sue Osman). 22: Nejdet Salih (Ali Osman). 23: Gillian Taylforth (Kathy Beale). 24: Adam Woodyatt (Ian Beale). 25: Nick Berry (Simon Wicks). 26: Peter Dean (Pete Beale) 1. Wendy Richard Played: Pauline Fowler Sitcom veteran Wendy also appeared in Are You Being Served?, Dad's Army and a couple of Carry On films. Our favourite cheeky Cockney was actually born in Middlesbrough, in 1943. The matriarch of Albert Square, her 21 years on the show ended with an on-screen death in 2006. Wendy died from cancer in 2009, aged 65. Then and now: Wendy Richard (Pauline Fowler) pictured with her on-screen husband Arthur (Bill Treacher) in the first year of the soap, 1985 (left) and pictured in 2006 (right) 2. Anna Wing Played: Lou Beale Lou was the most formidable character of the original cast, Pauline and Pete's mother, and a no-nonsense Londoner. Anna, who was 70 when the show began, was also a mighty personality: in the Fifties she had been the lover of poet Philip O'Connor, with whom she had a son. She left the show in 1988, but kept working right up to her death, aged 98, in 2013. Then and now: Anna Wing, who played Lou Beale, was one of the show's best-loved characters. She left the show in 1988, but kept working right up to her death, aged 98, in 2013 3. Linda Davidson Played: Mary Smith Mary was one of the Square's most controversial characters — a former punk rock groupie and drug user whose wild lifestyle put her baby's life at risk. Barely literate, she couldn't to look after her child without her neighbours' help, and earned her living by prostitution. Actress Linda, who was born in Canada, dated co-star Nejdet Salih and left the show in 1988; now aged 53, she gave up acting to work in internet design and today runs a social media agency. Then and now: Linda Davidson as punk rock groupie Mary Smith in 1986 (left) and today (right) running a social media agency 4. Ross Davidson Played: Andy O'Brien Ross was a PE teacher who played water polo for Scotland before acting.<doc-sep>
The death has been reported of Sandy Ratcliff, one of the original members of the cast of EastEnders, who has passed away at the age of 70. British tabloid The Sun reports that Ratcliff, who played Sue Osman in EastEnders from 1985 to 1989, died at the weekend and had been in poor health for a number of years. Sandy Ratcliff and Nejdet Salih as Sue and Ali in EastEnders Ratcliff was with EastEnders when it began on BBC One in February 1985 and was at the centre of one of the soap's big early storylines when her character Sue and husband Ali lost their infant son to cot death. In the years that followed viewers of the soap saw Sue struggle with mental health issues. Away from EastEnders, Ratcliff's other screen credits included the Ken Loach film Family Life and on television The Sweeney, Maigret, Minder and Play for Today. In 1991, Ratcliff provided an alibi for then-boyfriend Michael Shorey during his trial at London's Old Bailey for the murders of his ex-girlfriend and her friend. He was found guilty of the murders and received two life sentences. Ratcliff subsequently disappeared from the public eye. She had battled heroin addiction during her life and it is reported that she later retrained as a counsellor. Actor Nejdet Salih, who played on-screen husband Ali in EastEnders, said: "It's very sad. I remember the first time I auditioned for the show, we had this instant chemistry and banter. "I was a young actor and she helped me develop so much. We had a lot of fun on the show and had some really good storylines. Obviously, the cot death storyline was massive and really important. We wanted to do the best job we could." The original cast of EastEnders "She would try to take younger actors under her wing and had a great sense of humour," he continued. "At the end of the show, I think she had had enough, there was a lot of pressure on us back then. I think she just wanted to go." If you have been affected by issues raised in this article, please visit: www.rte.ie/helplines.