Leeds school pays emotional tribute to former pupil Dame Diana Rigg who died age 82

The Yorkshire actress, famous for her role as James Bond's wife in On Her Majesty's Secret Service, died on Thursday, September 10.

She was known for her roles in The Avengers, Game of Thrones and most recently played Mrs Pumphrey in the All Creatures Great and Small TV adaptation, which is based in the Yorkshire Dales.

Railway engineer's daughter Rigg was born in Doncaster in 1938, though she spent some of her early childhood in India.

She later boarded at Fulneck School in Pudsey, near Leeds, and her parents lived in Roundhay, before she trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.

A spokesman for Fulneck School said: "The Fulneck School community is deeply saddened to learn of the death today of Dame Diana Rigg and passes on its deepest condolences to Dame Diana's Family.

"Dame Diana began her career at Fulneck School, then a Girls' School, in 1950, leaving at the age of 18 to attend the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London.

"There seems to be little doubt that she discovered her love for acting through the school's long-serving drama teacher, Sylvia Greenwood.

"The two kept in touch for many years, with Dame Diana contributing her own poem of thanks to Mrs Greenwood in 1994.

"At the time, Dame Diana said that 'she is unique and I owe her my life in the theatre.'

"Mrs Greenwood described Dame Diana as self-disciplined and determined, "a very free spirit with a mind of her own".

"Whilst still at school, Dame Diana's parts included Orlando in 'As You Like It' and Emily Brontë in "The Brontës."

"Mrs Greenwood worked closely with her for the audition for RADA and Dame Diana then made her professional debut in 1957 York Festival."

The spokesman added: "Fulneck School pupils remained familiar with Dame Diana as her career took in both Doctor Who and Game of Thrones.

"Dame Diana, having just returned from life in India to austere post-war Yorkshire, described herself as being "like a fish out of water" at Fulneck.

"Later in life, with the late Mrs Greenwood in mind, she wrote that her time here had given her unshakeable belief in her potential and confidence to achieve beyond her wildest dreams."

Rigg was married twice and had a daughter, Rachael, with her second husband Archibald Stirling, whom she divorced in 1990.

A statement from her agent Simon Beresford said: “It is with tremendous sadness that we announce that Dame Diana Rigg died peacefully early this morning.

“She was at home with her family who have asked for privacy at this difficult time. Dame Diana was an icon of theatre, film, and television.

“She was the recipient of Bafta, Emmy, Tony and Evening Standard Awards for her work on stage and screen.

“Dame Diana was a much loved and admired member of her profession, a force of nature who loved her work and her fellow actors. She will be greatly missed.”

Her daughter Rachael, who is also an actress, said: "My Beloved Ma died peacefully in her sleep early this morning, at home, surrounded by family.

"She died of cancer diagnosed in March, and spent her last months joyfully reflecting on her extraordinary life, full of love, laughter and a deep pride in her profession. I will miss her beyond words”.

George Lazenby, who starred opposite Dame Diana in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, wrote on Instagram: “I’m so sad to hear of the death of Diana Rigg. She undoubtedly raised my acting game when we made On Her Majesty’s Secret Service together in 1968-9.

“I remember the press conference at the Dorchester in London, knowing she was going to play my wife.

“We had fun together on the set of the movie in Switzerland and Portugal. Her depth of experience really helped me.

“We were good friends on set. Much was made of our supposed differences but that was the press looking for a news story. I was sorry to have lost my wife in the film at the end.

“The death of Contessa Teresa di Vincenzo Draco created a memorable cinema moment over 50 years ago.

“As my new bride, Tracy Bond, I wept for her loss. Now, upon hearing of Dame Diana’s death, I weep again. My deepest condolences for her family."