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‘Trailblazing’ TV, film and stage actor Cleo Sylvestre dies aged 79

Performer was first black actor to land leading role at National Theatre and to be cast in regular role on UK soap opera

Sylvestre, also known as Cleopatra Palmer, had been a feature of film, stage, television and music since the 1960s, and played Melanie Harper, Meg Richardson’s adopted daughter, in ITV’s Crossroads – making her the first black actor to have a regular leading role in a UK soap opera. A statement from Fulcrum Talent on Friday said: “It is with deep regret that I have to announce the sad news that Cleo Sylvestre MBE died this morning. Sylvestre also sang as Cleo, with the Rolling Stones backing her, on a cover of To Know Him Is To Love Him in 1964 and continued to be a musician with her blues band Honey B Mama and Friends.

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