Glee star Jane Lynch has paid tribute to her late co-star Naya Rivera in a new interview.
Naya, who played Santana on the show, died of accidental drowning in Lake Piru, California, on July 8, at the age of 33.
Jane – who played Sue Sylvester – remembered the late actress during her appearance on Today with Hoda and Jenna.
She explained: ‘One of the things that got lost when we were doing the show was what a force was because there was so many talented people.
‘She was one of those people who wasn’t in every scene but when she was she just blew everyone away.’
The actress continued: ‘I had three pages monologues and so did she, it would take me week to get mine but she had them right off the bat. She would be changing them and had no problem with it.’
Jane added: ‘My niece was real close with Naya and as she said, with Naya you felt like someone had your back. She wasn’t going to let anyone mess with you and she was a great advocate.
‘She was a force of nature and it’s just gut-wrenching and heartbreaking that she is gone.’
Fellow Glee stars including Heather Morris have continued to share memories of Naya with fans as they attempt to come to terms with the shocking loss.
Glee ran from May 2009 for six seasons and also starred Lea Michele as Rachel Berry and the late Cory Monteith as Finn.
Naya was laid to rest in Hollywood Hills cemetery Forest Lawn Memorial Park two weeks after her body was found.
She is survived by a four-year-old son, Josey.
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MORE: Glee star Heather Morris tearfully remembers Naya Rivera in video following death
MORE: Fans come together at Lake Piru to pay emotional tribute to Glee star Naya Rivera after her death
