Miss Izzard had previously appeared on an episode of the BBC program Escape to the Country, with her then partner Kym Lofthouse.

Host Ginny Buckley had been given the job of helping the couple, who lived near Luton in Bedfordshire, to find their perfect Norfolk home

Emma Izzard (left) appeared on the BBC's Escape to the Country (Image: BBC) They had opted to move to the county in search of "cleaner air" and a slower pace of life.

And while the couple did eventually make the move to North Walsham, they ended up parting ways but remained friends.

In a statement to Norfolk Coroner’s Court, Miss Lofthouse revealed Miss Izzard’s struggles with alcoholism.

She said: “Emma was a larger-than-life character who was very popular both in and outside of her work, and she had many friends.

“She was very caring but had had personal struggles earlier in her life that she was unable to deal with.”

Emma........

© Eastern Daily Press