Barbara Ferris, the actress known for playing barmaid Nona Willis in Coronation Street, has died aged 85. The actress first stepped on to the cobbles in 1961 and would go on to make 10 further appearances before leaving the show. She went on to enjoy success in films such as Catch Us If You Can, The System and the 1990 biopic The Krays. But it was her breakout role in Weatherfield that she is most remembered for and fans have paid tribute to the star dubbed a "quiet grace on screen". Barbara died on May 23 and the cause of her death has yet to be announced. Born in London, she was one of four children and made her big break in Coronation Street a year after it launched on our screens. She played Nona for a few shows before bowing out because she found the Lancastrian accent difficult to master. Following her exit from the small screen, she would instead find success on the big screen, starring opposite Dave Clark – of The Dave Clark Five – in Catch Us If You Can as Dinah, with fellow acting legend Oliver Reed in The System, and ex-Spandau Ballet musicians Gary and Martin Kemp in The Krays, where she played Mrs Lawson. Once she left acting behind, Barbara devoted her time to family life and travel. She shared homes in Ireland, Zurich and London with her husband. The youngest child of Dorothy and Roy Ferris, she studied at the Italia Conti stage school. She also did pantomimes and adverts to help her family. Barbara was not the only member of the family who had a taste of fame – her late sister Liz was a successful diver who won bronze at the 1960 Olympics in Rome. In addition, she was the beloved wife of film producer John Quested, whom she married the same year her sister triumphed in Rome, reports Bristol Live. Devoted fans have taken to social media to express their sorrow, with heartfelt tributes pouring in for the much-loved star. One poignant tribute read: "Absolutely gutted to hear about Barbara Ferris. She had such a quiet grace on screen – Catch Us If You Can was a core memory from my childhood. Rest easy, Dinah." Another fan lamented: "RIP to Barbara Ferris - unforgettable in The Krays. That voice, that presence. We were lucky to have her, even if briefly." A third person wrote: "Barbara was one of the kindest, most generous actors I ever worked with. Her laughter lit up every set we shared. It was an honour just to be around her." Barbara is survived by her husband and their three children Nicholas, Christopher and Catherine.