2point4 Children star dies ‘suddenly’ aged 51 as tributes pour in

The news was revealed by the show’s creator, Andrew Marshall, who posted on X on Saturday. “I’m very sad to report, I have just discovered, that lovely and talented Claire Woodgate aka Georgina Cates, our 1st Jenny in 2p4 died last May,” he wrote.

Mr Marshall added: “I have no other details than on IMDb. Sympathies to her family and children. If anyone has further details to share, please do.”

No explanation has been given for why her death remained undisclosed for over five months, and no cause of death has been made public.

Born Clare Elaine Woodgate in Essex, Ms Cates attended Colchester County High School for Girls before breaking into television as a teenager.

She was just 16 when she was cast as Jenny Porter, making it her first screen role.

She appeared in the sitcom’s opening two series between 1991 and 1992, portraying the typical teenage daughter in the Porter household.

The programme, created by Mr Marshall, followed a seemingly ordinary London family whose lives were constantly upended by misfortune and bizarre events.

After departing the show, the young actress reinvented herself by fabricating an entirely new identity — a red-haired Liverpudlian called Georgina Cates with no previous acting experience.

The ruse proved remarkably effective, helping her secure roles that had eluded her under her birth name.

Her fabricated persona landed her the part of Stella in the 1995 film An Awfully Big Adventure, in which she starred alongside Alan Rickman. She had initially been turned down for the role under her real name.

Ms Cates went on to build a notable film career, earning critical praise for her performance as Amanda in Clay Pigeons (1998), sharing the screen with Vince Vaughn and Joaquin Phoenix.

She also appeared in Frankie Starlight (1995), Illuminata (1998), and Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa (2013).

Following a seven-year break from acting, she returned with the independent drama Sinner in 2007, winning Best Actress at the Brooklyn Arts Council International Film and Video Festival.

Her last credited screen appearance came in 2016, in a short film titled Save Me From The Sound Of The Siren.

Ms Cates married Scream actor Skeet Ulrich in 1997 after the pair met on the set of the television film A Soldier’s Sweetheart. They had twins, Naiia and Jakob, before divorcing in 2005.

Their daughter Naiia paid tribute on Instagram, writing: “My beautiful, free-spirited mom lived a hard life and still found ways to make herself and others laugh and smile <3 now she can rest easy.”

She continued: “I will always see you in black and white photos, Virginia slims, baggy clothes, no bras, big sunglasses, doodling while talking, pleasers, and flip flops and everything in between.”

Naiia added: “I love you, thank you for your creativity, curiosity and your bravery to always be true to yourself – no matter what. 04/04/75 – 05/06/26.”

Mr Ulrich responded to his daughter’s post, saying: “Love you more than words can say sweetheart.”

Journalist Brandi Morin was among those expressing grief at the news, describing Cates as “a legend, a friend, a powerhouse” who had been “so, so incredibly kind and supportive” to her. Morin called her “a rock” and said she was “heartbroken for her children and family.”