Son leads tributes to actress Susannah York

The son of actress Susannah York yesterday paid tribute to his mother's eclectic career, which ranged from Hollywood to small theatres above pubs in London.

York died in a London hospital on Saturday at the age of 72, after suffering from bone marrow cancer.

She was best known for her role in 1969 film They Shoot Horses, Don't They?, for which she won a Bafta and was nominated for an Oscar for best supporting actress.

Her son, the actor Orlando Wells, said she was admitted to the Royal Marsden Hospital on 6 January, three days before her birthday, after suffering pain in her shoulder.

"She was obviously an incredibly brave woman, because she didn't complain at all," he said. He and sister Sasha were in "terrible shock", but he said his mother "was absolutely the centre of our lives. She was a truly, truly wonderful mother."

York's varied career also saw her win acclaim for roles in films including A Man For All Seasons, Battle of Britain and Tom Jones.

In more recent years she was seen on television screens in BBC dramas Holby City and Casualty.