A Flintshire actor has paid tribute to Glenda Jackson, who died "peacefully" aged 87.

The Tony-award-winning actor Sir Jonathan Pryce and Glenda Jackson starred together in the Royal Shakespeare company’s version of “Anthony and Cleopatra” in the late 1970s, and in a production of Webster’s “The White Devil” at the Old Vic in 1976.

The veteran actor " died peacefully” after a brief illness, her agent confirmed.

Jackson won two Oscars, her first for best actress in 1970 for Women In Love and again three years later for A Touch Of Class.

She had also given up acting and moved towards politics, serving as a Labour MP for 23 years.

READ MORE: Oscar winning actress and former Labour MP Glenda Jackson dies aged 87

In 1992 she was elected as the Labour MP for Hampstead and Highgate and served as a junior transport minister from 1997 to 1999 during Sir Tony Blair’s government.

She then later returned to acting and won a Bafta for best actress in 2019 for her role in Elizabeth Is Missing, which followed the story of a woman suffering from dementia.

The Leader: Sir Jonathan Pryce Sir Jonathan Pryce (Image: PA/Ian West)

In a tribute recorded for BBC Radio Wales Drive, Sir Jonathan – who’s from Carmel in Flintshire, said: “I was very saddened to hear about the death of Glenda today. Quite simply, I believe she is the greatest actor that this country has ever produced. 

“Everyone will talk about her tremendous strength, and courage and intelligence, her wit…

“I worked with her twice in the 70s, and she was always direct, always honest. And, like the greatest art, her work was simple and uncluttered.

“As an actor quite simply she’s the one we should all aspire to be like.  And as a socialist politician, her commitment to people, and making life better for the people, puts this present Government to shame.

“I’m just so grateful for the chance I got to know her and to work with her.”