‘Housewives’ actress dies

The actress, Kathryn Joosten, best known for playing nosey neighbour Karen McCluskey on the hit US TV show Desperate Housewives, has died aged 72 after a long battle with lung cancer.

The actress won two Emmy awards for her portrayal of Mrs McCluskey, the cranky but loveable pensioner who kept a close eye on her Wisteria Lane neighbours on Desperate Housewives.

Ms Joosten’s character dies at the end of the series finale when her cancer returns.