Viola Holt dead: Beloved TV legend dies suddenly sitting on her sofa

Legendary TV presenter Viola Holt died on Thursday November 6 at the age of 76. The Dutch star suffered a heart attack while sitting on her sofa at home with her husband of over 30 years, Peter - who she met in 1988 and married two years later. Emergency services were called and tried to resuscitate her to no avail. The news of her death was confirmed by her devastated family in a short statement. Just ten hours before she died, a friend had posted an image to Facebook of the TV icon enjoying a lunch with Peter. Viola herself had posted a touching message on X shortly before her death. "What a lovely day, housework, groceries, forest walk, one whiskey on the terrace, tai ping on the stove and looking at the beautiful big moon... all something to be grateful about and unexpected moments of happiness."

Tributes flooded in for the beloved star as the news became public with fans taking to Facebook to share their sadness. "Oh, so unexpected... 18 hours ago, a lovely post on X, a report on her last beautiful day, rest in peace. And thank you, also for the wonderful party in Muiderberg," one wrote.

"My condolences to Viola's friend and to all the family members. I knew Viola through social gatherings in The Hague and the Gooi region. She was a quiet, intelligent woman who was always up for a good time or a party. We will miss her very much. R.I.P." another added.

A third chimed in: "Dear Viola what sad news, condolences to the family!" A fourth concurred writing: "So unexpectedly sad, condolences to all who loved her."

Meanwhile a fifth shared: "I wish the family much strength, another icon gone. Rest in peace, Viola, strength to her family and friends."

The star who was the daughter of radio and television sports journalist Ad van Emmenes, had begun her career aged just 17 when she started working as an announcer at AVRO.

She became best known for presenting RTL's afternoon magazine, The 5 O'Clock Show, until its final episode in 1998. She also presented several other programs for the broadcaster.

In 1984 she appeared in Dutch Playboy which had launched the year before, and which remains the best selling issue of the men's magazine.

Although she hadn't been on TV as frequently in recent years she did take part in several reality shows including Hotel Big Brother, Bobo's in the Bush, Ranking the Stars, and Project Rembrandt.

She also presented for regional channel RNN7 and had her own reality series with Bonnie St. Claire on Tien.