ACCLAIMED actress Billie Whitelaw, famous for her roles in films including The Omen, has died at the age of 82.

The Coventry-born star, who was made a CBE in 1991, worked in close collaboration with playwright Samuel Beckett, who described her as a perfect actress.

Whitelaw made her radio acting debut aged just 11.

The award-wining actress also played a starring role in The Krays and more recently appeared in comedy Hot Fuzz.

Billie Honor Whitelaw was born in Coventry on 6 June 1932.

Her family moved to Bradford to escape German bombing. Her father died from lung cancer there when his daughter was just 10.

Money was tight and her mother struggled on her own to support the family.

"It's something I haven't come to terms with," she later recalled. " I'm rather ashamed of having the good life I have."

When the young Billie developed a stutter, her mother enrolled her in a local drama group in an effort to boost her daughter's confidence.

Her drama training secured her some spots on BBC North's Children's Hour where her nervousness often made her physically sick before performances.

Her stage debut came at the Prince's Theatre, Bradford, in a 1950 performance of Pink String and Sealing Wax.

Her willowy good looks also made her something of a regular face in British films of the decade.

She gained an international audience for her role as the chilling Mrs Baylock in the film, The Omen.