Shirley Valentine actress Pauline Collins has died “peacefully” aged 85. She died in her London care home surrounded by her family having endured Parkinson’s disease for several years, her family said.
They said in a statement: “Pauline was so many things to so many people, playing a variety of roles in her life. A bright, sparky, witty presence on stage and screen. Her illustrious career saw her play politicians, mothers and queens.
“She will always be remembered as the iconic, strong-willed, vivacious and wise Shirley Valentine – a role that she made all her own. We were familiar with all those parts of her because her magic was contained in each one of them.
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“More than anything, though, she was our loving mum, our wonderful grandma and great-grandma. Warm, funny, generous, thoughtful, wise, she was always there for us. And she was John (Alderton)’s life-long love. A partner, work collaborator, and wife of 56 years.
“We particularly want to thank her carers: angels who looked after her with dignity, compassion, and most of all love. She could not have had a more peaceful goodbye. We hope you will remember her at the height of her powers; so joyful and full of energy; and give us the space and privacy to contemplate a life without her.”
Pauline had a lengthy acting career, having first found fame thanks to playing Sarah Moffat in Upstairs, Downstairs. She went on to appear in its spin-off show, Thomas & Sarah.
The actress is best known for playing the title character in play Shirley Valentine, which landed her a Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress and made her an international star. Pauline also picked up the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play.
In 1989, Pauline reprised the role for a film adaptation of the play and she went on to win the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role and received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress.
The film followed the life of a Liverpool housewife who rediscovers herself on a trip to Greece – a performance that became one of the defining portrayals of British cinema in the 1980s
After Shirley Valentine, Pauline appeared in a number of television dramas including Forever Green and The Ambassador. She made appearances in films City of Joy, Paradise Road, Albert Nobbs, Quartet and The Time of Their Lives.
Pauline was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 2001 Birthday Honours for services to drama. In her personal life, Pauline married fellow actor John Alderton in 1969.
They welcomed three children together, Nicholas, Kate and Richard and lived in Hampstead, London. Pauline also had daughter Louise with actor Tony Rohr, and made the “heartbreaking” decision to give her up for adoption in 1964.
She reunited with her daughter when Louise was 21-years-old, and even documented the reunion on her book, Letter to Louise. Born in Devon and raised in Wallasey, Cheshire, Pauline trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama after working briefly as a teacher.
She continued acting well into later life, appearing in film and television projects including Albert Nobbs, The Royale Family, and The Last Detective. Pauline is survived by her husband John, their children and grandchildren.
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