Former Neighbours and Prisoner co-stars are expressing their sadness at the death of actress Janet Andrewartha.

She was best known for playing Lyn Scully in Neighbours, Reb Keane in Prisoner, and had recently appeared in television thriller Fake.

Social media accounts for Neighbours confirmed her death on Sunday night.

“Everyone at Neighbours is deeply saddened by the passing of Janet Andrewartha,” the program said in a statement. “Janet will be remembered for her wide body of work.”

Andrewartha starred in Australian television and theatre productions since the early 1980s, returning to Neighbours several times after her initial seven-year stint.

Actress Jackie Woodburne, known for playing Susan Kennedy on the iconic soap, said she would miss her friend of 45 years.

“Janet was one of the finest actors of her generation, but more than that, she was an extraordinary woman,” Woodburne said in the statement from Neighbours.

“Passionate, political, curious, delightfully eccentric, generous and fun.”

The 72-year-old reportedly died peacefully surrounded by family in Melbourne on Friday.