Biografia

Mother of Janette Scott and thus ex-mother-in-law of Mel Tormé.

A memorial service was held for her at Westminster Abbey, London on 15 September 2003.

She was awarded the OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the 1983 Queen's Birthday Honours List for her services to drama and the DBE (Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in the 1993 Queen's Birthday Honours List for her services to drama.

On 13 September 2013 a memorial plaque to her was unveiled in Morecambe near where she was born. It is outside the Eric Bartholomew pub, named in honour of Eric Morecambe whose real surname was Bartholomew and who was also born in the town.

Daughter of James Henry Hird, former manager of the Royalty Theatre, Morecambe.

[about being costumed] Always start with the feet.

[her thoughts on viewing Vice the Sex Trade: Policing the Streets (1998)] What made me laugh was when the interviewer called her a prostitute and she said: 'One minute, I'm not a prostitute,' as though she was doing something more honourable by putting a nappy on a fella and giving him his supper. 'Excuse me, I'm not a prostitute.' Such dignity. I thought: 'Dear God, you've offended the prostitutes.'"

[on visiting Beverly Hills] It's perfect for a holiday, but there's no corner shop. You know what I mean, luv, don't yer? They're very nice to me there, I must say. When they find out that I've played in the West End they say: 'Oh my Gaad.' Once, there was a director who thought of putting me in Bonanza, that show with thingummy [Lorne] Greene. I said: 'But my voice is Lancashire.' He said: 'That doesn't matter, we could have a cowboy whose mother comes from Lancashire.' What a laugh. From Lancashire.

I first went on stage when I was eight weeks old as the illegitimate child of the village maiden, who was played by my mother. I like to say that it was the only part I've ever got through influence.

[on working in Morecambe Co-op at the age of 17] I used to look at some of the customers and think, 'if I ever take up acting seriously, I'll play her.' I've played nearly all of them now. People say to me: 'That woman was so lifelike.' I say: 'She is, she lives in Morecambe.'