Victoria Wood dead: Twelve of her most witty astute and discerning quotes

Comedian and actress Victoria Wood has passed away from cancer at the age of 62. She died peacefully at her north London home surrounded by family this morning.

Known as one of Britain’s most popular stand-up comics, the veteran television actress became a household name in the 1980s. A mainstay on British television, Wood was best known for her roles in Dinnerladies, Acorn Antiques, Victoria Wood as Seen on TV and myriad other comedy shows.

A long-time friend of Julie Walters, Wood met the fellow actress at Manchester Polytechnic in 1970 and the pair went on to collaborate on a number of comedic projects. The most eminent partnership was Wood and Walters - a short-lived but well-loved show which had just one pilot in 1981 and seven shows in 1982.

Throughout the course of her colourful career, Wood received a number of awards and was appointed an Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2008.

Here are a selection of her most amusing, astute and poignant quotes:

“Everyone’s a national treasure these days; you can’t move for them. But there should only ever be one at a time. For years, it was Dame Thora Hird. After she died, it was going to be Judi Dench, but then Joanna Lumley saved the Gurkhas so she got the gig.” The Daily Mail

"When I’m not working so much I do go out with my friends and have cups of tea and sometimes cups of champagne.” The Telegraph

"In London it's easy not to be the focus of attention, especially when Sting lives in the house just behind you".

"My children won’t even eat chips because some know-all bastard at school told them a potato was a vegetable".

"If they like you in the North of England they won't say, “You were wonderful, darling!” They'll say, “You weren't bad” or “I didn't mind it”. The Daily Mail

“No. I’ve had the same two friends. I just see them. Two friends from school, that is. I do have more than two friends.”

“Well, I think there’s not much of a chance for me finding somebody of my age. Gentlemen of my age are dropping down 30 years to find girlfriends.”

“I was never hungry. You’re not if you eat all the time."

"In my 20's I was going round seeing agents who were patronising because I was fat and a girl, which was a double whammy. I knew what it was to feel out-of-the-loop".

"No, if I'm in a group I won't dominate. I never speak for the sake of speaking. I get annoyed if people do – as they tend to do. I think, 'Oh, shut up'." The Guardian

"I always loved children and babies and knew I wanted them, so being a mum came easily to me. I speak to my kids on a regular basis. I know their names. I even hug them occasionally".