Mark Little has paid tribute to former Neighbours co-star Vivean Gray - aka Mrs Mangel - following her death aged 92.
This Morning hosts Anita Rani and James Martin spoke to the Joe Mangel actor over the phone as he praised the late actress and spoke of his joy working with her.
"She was one of the great Aussie actors and made her way to television and I was lucky enough [to work with her]," Little said.
"She was one of the main reasons I joined Neighbours because I was going to be her estranged son."
Gray starred in the ongoing Australian soap from 1986 to 1988, appearing alongside fellow Ramsay Street legends such as Madge, Harold Bishop and Helen Daniels.
Little joined the show as her beleaguered son in '88.
"She was a real icon - she was wonderful as the busybody of the street and a nosy parker," he continued.
"She captured that role so well there and also the feud that she was having with Anne Charleston as Madge. She played that all so well."
News of Vivean's death started circulating on Twitter yesterday (July 28), sparking tributes from Neighbours fans.
The sad news was later confirmed by Australia's Network Ten.
Network Ten's head of drama Rick Maier said: "Mrs Mangel and Mrs Jessup [from The Sullivans] were two of our most iconic characters from one of our very best actors.
"Vivean's contribution to Australian drama will never be forgotten. It is a very sad day for the Neighbours family."
