Heartbreaking: Star D!es at 22 as Co-Stars Pay Emotional Tribute.
She was a Holby City favourite (Image: BBC)
She was recognised by millions as one of the central figures in the popular BBC drama Holby City, but at just 22-year- old, Laura Sadler d!ed in tragic circumstances, bringing her remarkable career to an abrupt end.
The actor initially rose to fame in Grange Hill, where she portrayed Judi Jeffreys in the enduring BBC children’s series.
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Performing had always been Laura’s ambition, and her journey towards fame began during childhood when she joined the Jackie Palmer Stage School in High Wycombe.
Her talent was quickly spotted, and she subsequently trained at the Sylvia Young Theatre School in London, where her exceptional talent caught the attention of Hollywood legend Dustin Hoffman, who saw her performance in a production and asked for a meeting.
Then, in 1997, her major opportunity arrived when she secured the part of Judi in Grange Hill. Her character’s devastating d3ath, slipping and falling from a burning building, proved to be an eerie foreshadowing of Laura’s own fate, reports the Daily Star.
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Laura was a much-loved member of the cast (Image: BBC)
After her stint in Grange Hill, Laura took on the role of Skirty Marm in the BBC children’s comedy, Belfry Witches. A future in cinema also appeared within reach, as in 1996 she appeared alongside Julie Walters in the film, Intimate Relations, portraying a young girl who develops feelings for her mother’s unfaithful partner.
Eventually, the part that would establish her reputation throughout Britain emerged – that of nurse Sandy Harper in Holby City. She garnered acclaim and captured the affection of audiences in the role she inhabited for three years before her untimely d3ath.
On June 15 2003, Laura plummeted from a second-floor balcony at the London flat of her boyfriend and Holby City co-star, George Cavill, in the prestigious Holland Park district.
She never regained consciousness following the 40-foot fall, and on June 18 2003, her family faced the devastating decision to switch off her life support machine. Laura passed away at Charing Cross Hospital just one day later — she was just 22.
Her d3ath was ruled a tragic accident.
Laura was just 22 when she d!ed (Image: BBC)
At the time, Mal Young, Controller of Drama Series, said: ”Everyone at Holby City, and indeed, across the BBC, are devastated by this news. Laura was a much loved, talented and respected actress.
She brought so much to the role with her infectious enthusiasm, dedication and 100% professionalism.
“Television has lost a talent who had so much more to give. We, and her many fans will miss her greatly. Laura’s mum was adamant that Laura would want the rest of the programmes she appears in to be shown. I’m sure fans would want that as well. The next few weeks will be a tribute to her.
“Our heartfelt condolences go out to her family. I would ask that they be given as much privacy and space as possible at this difficult time.”
Lorraine Heggessey, the then Controller of BBC ONE, added at the time: “I’m devastated that we have lost such a talented young actress. When I first met Laura on Grange Hill it was clear she had enormous potential. She was a sweet, modest, hard-working girl and will be much missed. Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this difficult time.”
Laura’s agent, Michele Milburn, also said at the time: ”It is difficult to express how great a loss this is for Laura’s family and friends. She was loved by everyone for her kindness and generosity of spirit.
“She had a unique talent, and I am certain was only at the start of what would have been a brilliant career. However, her greatest gift was her ability to bring out the best in all who were lucky enough to know her.
“We will all miss her greatly. I would ask that her family’s privacy is respected and that they are now left alone to grieve in peace.””.
Laura played nurse Sandy Harper in Holby City (Image: undefined)
In the wake of Laura’s devastating d3ath, the BBC opted to air the eight episodes that had already been filmed featuring her. BBC scriptwriters worked with Laura’s mother, Sonja, to craft a storyline that would suitably account for her departure from the series.
At the time, Mal Young said: “I went there thinking we all going to be in tears and it turned into an unofficial storyline conference. I said we would find a way of explaining Laura’s absence and her mum came up with an idea we all liked.”
In Laura’s concluding appearance as Sandy, it was revealed that the young nurse had scooped £150,000 on the lottery and had departed both the hospital and her life in the UK to jet off to Australia in pursuit of her former flame, Danny Shaughnessy. Prior to her departure, Sandy had gifted her colleagues a sum of money and they all assembled in the hospital to raise a toast to “the one and only Sandy”.
There was not a dry eye when the episode was aired.