Actress. She had a long career in British stage and screen, primarily in comedic roles. Raised in London, she was educated at St. Dominic's Convent, and received theatrical training at the Aida Foster School. She made her professional bow in 1948 in a New Lindsey Theatre production of "Burning Bush," with her first silver-screen appearance the next year in "Trottie True" (American title "The Gay Lady). Her Broadway debut came in the 1954 "The Boy Friend." She appeared in the 1957 films "Doctor at Large" and "Blue Murder at St. Trinians"...her most noted roles were in the "Carry On..." series of popular English comedies. Her 1962 "Carry On Cruising" was followed by "... Spying" (1964), "... Doctor" (1967), and "... Camping" (1969). In the 1970s, she was to join the Royal Shakespeare Company, performing Maria in "Twelth Night" and the nurse in "Romeo and Juliet." Over the years, her stage credits included "Sweeney Todd," "The Pirates of Penzance," "Fiddler on the Roof," "42nd. Street," Oklahoma," "The Secret Garden" and "My Fair Lady" (the last in 2007). Active in television to the end of her life, she was seen in "Coronation Street," "Midsomer Murders," "Holby City," and "East Enders." In 2006 she gave a particularly acclaimed portrayal of HM The Queen in "The Amazing Mrs. Pritchard."
Actress. She had a long career in British stage and screen, primarily in comedic roles. Raised in London, she was educated at St. Dominic's Convent, and received theatrical training at the Aida Foster School. She made her professional bow in 1948 in a New Lindsey Theatre production of "Burning Bush," with her first silver-screen appearance the next year in "Trottie True" (American title "The Gay Lady). Her Broadway debut came in the 1954 "The Boy Friend." She appeared in the 1957 films "Doctor at Large" and "Blue Murder at St. Trinians"...her most noted roles were in the "Carry On..." series of popular English comedies. Her 1962 "Carry On Cruising" was followed by "... Spying" (1964), "... Doctor" (1967), and "... Camping" (1969). In the 1970s, she was to join the Royal Shakespeare Company, performing Maria in "Twelth Night" and the nurse in "Romeo and Juliet." Over the years, her stage credits included "Sweeney Todd," "The Pirates of Penzance," "Fiddler on the Roof," "42nd. Street," Oklahoma," "The Secret Garden" and "My Fair Lady" (the last in 2007). Active in television to the end of her life, she was seen in "Coronation Street," "Midsomer Murders," "Holby City," and "East Enders." In 2006 she gave a particularly acclaimed portrayal of HM The Queen in "The Amazing Mrs. Pritchard."
Bio by: Bob Hufford
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