Actress Kate O’Mara who starred in the 1980s sailing drama Howard’s Way has died at the age of 74.

The British star, who was best known for her role in the television drama Dynasty, enjoyed a five decade career encompassing the stage, screen, and
television.

Her works in the theatre included co-starring with Juliet
Stevenson in Imogen Stubbs’ play, We Happy Few,
in the West End.

Kate starred as scheming businesswoman Laura Wilde in the BBC drama Howards’ Way, which was dubbed the ‘Dallas of the Seas’.

In the programme, character Tom Howard is made redundant from his job as a senior aircraft designer
and decides to invest his skill, time and redundancy money in a run-down
local boat building yard, which puts a great strain on his
marriage and causes problems with other family members.

Kate also starred in Absolutely Fabulous, Bad Girls, Family Affairs, The
avengers, The Persuaders and Doctor Who, among many other programmes, and considered
herself fortunate to have worked with the Two Ronnies and Morecambe and
Wise.

In 1987, Kate co-founded the British Actors Theatre Company, which
has mounted over 20 productions. She had four books published and
wrote six shows for the theatre.

Most recently, Kate
filmed a guest lead role in the ITV comedy series,
Benidorm, and appeared on stage for Bill Kenwright and the Agatha
Christie Theatre Company in Murder on the Nile.

Kate passed away on Sunday 30 March, in a Sussex nursing home, following a short illness.

Her publicist said Noel Phillips said: ‘We have lost an incredibly talented actress, and more importantly, we have lost an wonderful human being. Her passion for life and devotion to entertain will continue to inspire me and others.

‘Her talent for friendship and hard work was unmatched. What distinguished her as an actress was how she embodied vulnerability while at the same time representing tough, powerful, dominating characters that are now impossible to find on screen.

‘She was a great performer and the stage will not be the same without her. I am lucky to have known such a shining star. And I am glad she chose us.’

Tributes have poured in for the popular actress on Twitter social networking site with friends and fans tweeting messages with the hashtag #KateOMara.