Popular Indian TV presenter and Corrie actor Sophiya Haque dies
Her partner David White confirmed on Haque’s agency Cole’s website that Sophiya had been diagnosed with a form of cancer just several weeks ago, and died “suddenly but peacefully in her sleep”.
Tributes have poured in for the actress on social networking sites Twitter and Facebook from those who knew and worked with Sophiya.
Born to an Indian family, Sophiya moved to Mumbai in 1997 (then Bombay). As a multi-talented and gifted actress, she began her acting career with a lead role in the film Snip. She has also danced with a number of top Bollywood names including Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachan, Salman Khan, Mani Ratnam. Saroj Khan and Farah Khan.
After spending about five years there, Sophiya returned to the UK in 2002 and began working on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Bombay Dreams at The Apollo Victoria as Rani -- Goddess Of Love. Since then she has played crucial roles in several musicals and Hollywood projects.
She has also acted in nation’s favourite soap – ITV’s Coronation Street as barmaid Poppy Morales. She is remembered by many as a bubbly- DJ for The BBC Asian Network.
Her last performance was in Privates on Parade in the West End, shortly before Christmas.
Her agent Agent Oliver Thomson wrote on Cole’s website: "I would like to say that Sophiya Haque was a wonderful actress, a wonderful client but so much more than that a wonderful friend. She was adored by everyone she worked with and will be deeply missed".
Bollywood actress Dia Mirza said on Twitter: “RIP Sophiya Haque... I'll never forget you dancing with abandon onto the cricket field in the cadbury commercial.”
While actor and singer Suchitra Pillai said: “Rest in peace beautiful angel sophiya haque...gone too soon...will love u for always” while sharing a picture of Sophiya on Twitter. Others including Pooja Bhatt and current VJ Sophie Choudry all paid their tributes to the actress.
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