Anecdotes

Mother of Petronella Barker.

Ex-mother-in-law of Anthony Hopkins.

Grandmother of Abigail Hopkins.

The daughter of a commercial traveller and a dressmaker. Spent her early childhood in impoverished circumstances. Started in show business as a dancer (helped by lessons from Anna Pavlova) and in pantomime. Became an expert tap dancer. Hired for the chorus of London's Windmill Theatre at the age of fifteen and worked her way up the ladder to becoming principal solo dancer four years later. Married comedian Eric Barker in 1936 and after the war appeared with him in several television series. After her husband's stroke, had a successful solo career on the West End stage, as well as in radio and on screen.