Sir Tony Robinson has led tributes to his Blackadder co-star Patsy Byrne, who has died at the age of 80.

The Kent-born actress studied at Rose Bruford College in Sidcup before becoming well-known for playing Nursie in the second series of the hit 1980s' comedy.

She died at Denville Hall, a care home for elderly actors in north-west London, on June 17.

Sir Tony Robinson, who appeared with Byrne in Blackadder II and the CBBC series Maid Marian and

Her Merry Men, told BBC Five Live she had been like a mother to "her boys" on the show and was "indulgent" towards them despite being an experienced actress whose past included the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC).

He said: "She had unerring skill to make the daftest, silliest thing sound absolutely real and absolutely plausible.

"I remember seeing her in As You Like It and it was one of those parts where the actress usually goes 'de dum de dum de dum de dum de dum' but the way she said it was so that each word was a revelation to her and I think that was one of her great comic skills."

Lloyd said Byrne had been a "proper actress" who struck up a fantastic rapport with Miranda Richardson, who played Elizabeth I alongside her.

He said: "They were a fantastic double act. As they inhabited the roles and made them their own (writers) Ben (Elton) and Richard (Curtis) would write to their skills."

Tributes were also paid on Twitter. John Challis, who played Boycie in Only Fools and Horses, tweeted a picture of Byrne on stage with the RSC, adding: "Sad to hear that actress Patsy Byrne has died."