Actress and wife of Downton Abbey's David Robb Briony McRoberts killed by tube train

Agent confirms the death of the 'well loved' and 'vibrant' actress

(Actress Briony Roberts, pictured here with her husband David Robb in 1978 , died on Wednesday, her agent has confirmed )

Actress Briony McRoberts, 56, has died after being hit by a Tube train near her home, her agent said today.

The actress, who was married to Downton Abbey actor David Robb, appeared in Scottish drama Take The High Road for nine years and also starred in Taggart and EastEnders.

Her body was discovered at Fulham Broadway station at 8.30am on Wednesday.

Agent Katie Threlfall described the actress as “well-loved” and “vibrant”, and said her death was “unbelievably shocking”.

She said: “It's just a terrible, terrible loss of a wonderful woman. Nobody had any idea it was going to happen. Her husband is deeply shocked.

“She was a wonderful woman who had troubles and she will be very much missed. She was so well-loved and was the most vibrant character you could hope to meet. It is just a tragedy.”

Fellow actors have taken to social networks to pay tribute to McRoberts, whose television career included appearances in The Bill and Heartbeat. She was also an acclaimed stage actress, appearing in many West End performances.

Andy Cameron wrote on Twitter: “Sad sad news about the death of Briony McRoberts. I shared a thousand laughs with her on High Road. My thoughts are with David. RIP Briony.”

Gary Hollywood, who also appeared in the long-running soap, wrote on the site: “'Numb' RIP to my 'lady Laird' Briony McRoberts xxx.”

British Transport Police said a file had been prepared for the coroner. Police are not treating the death as suspicious.

Robb, who plays Dr Clarkson in Downton Abbey, has been a volunteer for The Samaritans in London for 25 years.

Additional reporting by PA