Bea Arthur dies, aged 86

Golden Girls star Bea Arthur has died at the age of 86, it has been announced.

The actress passed away peacefully at her home in Los Angeles yesterday following a battle with cancer.

In a statement, Arthur's publicist Dan Watt said: "She was a brilliant and witty woman. Bea will always have a special place in my heart."

Watt declined to offer specific details about his client's illness, but confirmed that family members were at her side when she passed.

Arthur rose to prominence in 1972 when she landed the lead role in CBS sitcom Maude, a spinoff of All In The Family. Her performances as Maude Findlay on the six-season show later earned her an Emmy for outstanding lead actress in a comedy series.

In 1985, she signed up to play Dorothy Zbornak in NBC's The Golden Girls, which ran for seven seasons. After three years in the part, Arthur picked up her second Emmy, triumphing in the outstanding lead actress in a comedy series category again.

In Arthur's later years, she scored guest parts in a number of popular programmes, including Futurama and Malcolm In The Middle. She also organised her own Broadway show Bea Arthur on Broadway: Just Between Friends, which featured stories and songs based on her career.

Arthur is survived by two adopted sons, Matthew and Daniel, as well as two granddaughters.