Shelley Fabares dead at 82

Shelley Fabares, star of Coach and The Donna Reed Show, has died aged 82.

The actor and singer died on Saturday, 22 August, in Los Angeles, surrounded by her loved ones.

Her family, including her M*A*S*H star husband, Mike Farrell, confirmed her death in a statement shared with various media outlets.

"To her family and friends, Shelley was a source of love, strength, laughter, and comfort," the statement read.

"She was a devoted wife, cherished stepmother, daughter, sister, niece, aunt, family member, and loyal friend whose warmth, generosity, humour, and grace made an enduring difference in the lives of everyone who knew her. She had a remarkable ability to make people feel welcomed, valued, and cared for.

"But to those closest to her, her greatest legacy was personal: the love she gave so freely, the friendships she treasured, and the family bonds she held dear."

Fabares first enjoyed success as daughter Mary on The Donna Reed Show, an American sitcom that aired from September 1958 to March 1966, starring Academy Award-winning actress Donna Reed.

She later co-starred in the sitcom Coach as Christine Armstrong across 200 episodes from 1989 to 1997. She also appeared in three films with Elvis Presley: Girl Happy in 1965, Spinout in 1966 and Clambake in 1967.

Fabares also had a No. 1 song, Johnny Angel, in 1962.