A TALENTED star of the stage and screen, who always lived life to the full, has died after a lifetime battle with a heart condition.

Amanda Hoskins, known as Mandy, who was born with Down’s Syndrome, died peacefully at the age of 44 at her care home, in Pewsey, last week.

She was an avid member of REACH dance and drama group and starred in the 1990 blockbuster movie Truly Madly Deeply, alongside Alan Rickman and Juliet Stevenson, as well as an episode of A Touch Of Frost with David Jason in 1995.

Her father, Phil Hoskins, 74, of the town centre, said: “She loved seeing herself on screen. Shyness wasn’t one of her fortes. She wasn’t afraid of coming forward and she had no inhibitions.

“When she did A Touch Of Frost she had a tutor who prompted her with her lines, but she did learn a lot.”

Mandy, who also enjoyed performing at the Wyvern Theatre, in Swindon, was awarded an Outstanding Learners’ Award in 1994 after she appeared in Truly Madly Deeply.

In the film, REACH members played a group of people with learning disabilities and Mandy kept in touch with Juliet Stevenson by letter long after filming finished, which she also did with David Jason.

“She has done more in her life than many of us, certainly I, will ever achieve, said Phil.

“She was very proud to know them and I think they were of her.”

Mandy died last week after suffering from Eisenmengers Syndrome, a hole in the heart, for six years.

“She never lost her humour, she was always happy. She used to laugh with vigour,” he said.

She had lived in Aldbourne with Rosie and Tony Jarvis for nine years before she moved to Holly Lodge after her heart condition manifested into an acute condition six years ago.

Phil said he wanted to thank Rosie, Tony and Holly Lodge for everything they have done for Mandy.

“She was always pleased to see everyone who went to visit her. She was fun, warm and loving, giving and polite. She was a wonderful person, she could be umpty, but can’t we all?” he said.

“She was such good fun to be around. I have so many fond memories of her, every memory of her is a fond memory.

“She will be greatly missed. I’ll just miss everything about her. She had a full and wonderful life.”

Mandy’s funeral will be held at Kingsdown Crematorium on Tuesday at 10am.

The family have requested donations to the Wroughton-based charity, White Horse Care Trust, in lieu of flowers.