Charmian Abrahams, who starred as Mavis Hooper in the long-running series during the early 1980s, died aged 96 following the collision in Harborne, near Birmingham, on Monday.

Police are investigating.

On Friday, family members paid tribute to the actress, who also performed alongside theatrical greats including Sir Noel Coward, Albert Finney, and Sir Ian McKellen.

In a statement, released through West Midlands Police, the family said: "Charmian was a much-loved aunt and great-aunt and a dear friend to many.

"At 96 she was still full of life and energy and fiercely independent.

"In her working life she had enjoyed a long career as an actor on stage and screen, performing alongside many great theatrical figures.

"We are devastated that her life has been brought to an end so suddenly and tragically, but we will treasure our memories of her zest for life and the many good times we shared with her."

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Abrahams, also known as Charmian Eyre, starred in a number of television shows throughout her 50-year career, landing her role in Crossroads in 1981.

The long-running soap, which ran for 24 years from 1964 through to 1988, before a short revival in the early 2000s, was set in a fictional hotel in the Midlands.

Despite gaining a reputation for low production values, the show, produced by ATV and later ITV Central, was popular with audiences, at one point regularly attracting millions of viewers.

Abrahams played Mavis Hooper, the wife of garage hand Sid Hooper, featuring in more than 50 episodes before leaving in 1985.

Investigators from West Midlands Police's Serious Collision Investigation Unit are conducting inquiries into the collision.

They are appealing for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage to come forward to police.