Former VJ Sophiya Haque dies in London - NDTV

Former VJ-turned actress Sophiya Haque died on Thursday in London at the age of 41. She was reportedly diagnosed with cancer just before Christmas.

Sophiya Haque was a popular VJ on Channel V in the 1990s and more recently appeared in the movie Wanted. Sophiya was also believed to be suffering from pneumonia and had been undergoing tests during which she is believed to have developed a clot in her lungs and passed away in her sleep.

Sophiya, who was born to a British mother and Bangladeshi father, was a singer, model, dancer, VJ and actress. She was the lead singer of 1989 band Akasa and had a hit single called One Night In My Life. She also appeared in West End productions like The Far Pavilions in London. She had a role as barmaid Poppy in the long running British TV series Coronation Street. She was starring in a West End show Privates On Parade when she was diagnosed with cancer.

Sophiya lived in London with partner and musical director David White. "Sophiya 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," said her agent, Oliver Thomson.

Twitter was abuzz with news of Sophiya's death.

Pooja Bhatt@PoojaB1972 tweeted: Tragic news about Sophiya Haque. One of the most gorgeous women to have walked this planet... Shine on where-ever it is you now are luv...

MTV presenter Nikhil Chinapa tweeted: RIP Sophiya Haque. She passed away in hospital in London, battling an illness. :(

Derek O'Brien@quizderek tweeted: Sophia Haque was my guest on the Bournvita Quiz Contest in the mid 1990s... Vivacious,sexy,articulate.Gone too soon

Director Ken Ghosh expressed shock at the news and tweeted: Just heard sad news of the passing away of the live wire ex vj of channel v, sophia haque(sic)

Former VJ Sophie Choudry tweeted: "When I moved here, you moved to my city. We barely met but I had great respect for you and your work. RIP Sophiya Haque - artist, iconic VJ, dancer, trendsetter."

"So completely heartbreaking," wrote Maria Goretti, another popular former VJ who made it big in the 1990s.

Composer Vishal Dadlani described the late actress as a "beautiful spirit", and posted: "Life is short, so fickle. People, hold your loved ones close, tell them you love them every day."

With Mid-Day inputs