BBC children’s TV star Mya-Lecia Naylor has died aged 16.
Naylor, who appeared in shows including Millie Inbetween, died on April 7 but the cause of death remains unclear.
She starred alongside Emily Atack, Fleur East and Tess Daly on CBBC show Almost Never.
Naylor also appeared in the BBC show Absolutely Fabulous as Jane in 2004 and more recently performed as part of the band Angels N’ Bandits.
She was described as “deeply talented” by A&J Management.
It is with the deepest sorrow we have to announce that on Sunday 7th April Mya-Lecia Naylor, very sadly, died. Mya-Lecia was hugely talented and a big part of A&J, we will miss her greatly. Our love and thoughts are with all her family and friends at this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/YhnR7WJSPc
— A&J Management (@aj_management) April 17, 2019
“It is with the deepest sorrow we have to announce that on Sunday 7th April Mya-Lecia Naylor, very sadly, died”, a tweet from A&J said.
It continued: “Mya-Lecia was hugely talented and a big part of A&J, we will miss her greatly. Our love and thoughts are with all her family and friends at this difficult time”.
A statement posted to the BBC’s website described Naylor as a “hugely talented actress, singer and dancer”.
It read: “We are so sorry to have to tell you that Mya-Lecia, who you will know from Millie Inbetween and Almost Never has, very sadly, died.
“Mya-Lecia was a much-loved part of the BBC Children’s family and a hugely talented actress, singer and dancer.
“We will miss her enormously and we are sure that you will want to join us in sending all our love to her family and friends.”
I’m A Celebrity’s Atack described the teenager as a “beautiful girl”.
In a message on Instagram, she said: “So shocked and sad to hear about lovely Mya-Lecia Naylor. She was a beautiful and talented girl. A complete joy to be around on the set of Almost Never. Sending all my love to her family & friends. Rest in peace beautiful girl x.”
Historian Greg Jenner said the news was “terribly sad” while BBC TV presenter Tee Cee also paid tribute.
Deeply saddened by the passing of CBBC actress Mya-Lecia Naylor – although just 16, what a legacy she's left for CBBC fans all over the UK who watched and loved the TV shows she starred in.
Rest in peace sweets❤ pic.twitter.com/vFcPdJhKLe
— Tee Cee🌈🌟 (@ThisIsTeeCee) April 17, 2019
She said: “Deeply saddened by the passing of CBBC actress Mya-Lecia Naylor – although just 16, what a legacy she’s left for CBBC fans all over the UK who watched and loved the TV shows she starred in. Rest in peace sweets.”
Paul Rose was a scriptwriter on Almost Never and described Naylor’s death as a “huge loss”.
He said: “Found out the heartbreaking news last week that Mya-Lecia Naylor has died.
“I’d been writing scripts for S2 of Almost Never since last year, all featuring Mya’s character. Far too young, and a huge loss for all on the show. My heart goes out to her family.”
Alice Webb, director of BBC Children’s which includes CBBC, said news of Naylor’s death had left her team “distraught and so terribly sad”.
She said: “She has shone so brightly on our screens, both in Millie Inbetween and Almost Never, and it’s unthinkable that she won’t be part of our journey going forward.
“She was hugely popular with our audience, a very talented actress, dancer and singer, and a real role model for her young fans.”