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Lynda Baron

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Lynda Baron
Baron as Auntie Mabel on Come Outside
Born
Lilian Ridgway

(1939-03-24)24 March 1939
Urmston, Lancashire, England
Died5 March 2022(2022-03-05) (aged 82)
London, England
Occupations
  • Actress
  • singer
Years active1958–2022
Television
Spouses
Cyril Smith
​
​
(m. 1962, divorced)​
John M. Lee
​
​
(m. 1966; died 2001)​
Children2

Lilian Ridgway (24 March 1939 – 5 March 2022), known professionally as Lynda Baron, was an English actress and singer. She is known for having played Nurse Gladys Emmanuel in the BBC sitcom Open All Hours (1976–1985) and its sequel, Still Open All Hours (2013–2016), Auntie Mabel in the award-winning children's series Come Outside (1993–1997), and the part of Linda Clarke in EastEnders in 2006 and from 2008 to 2009, with a brief return in 2016.

Early life

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Lilian Ridgway was born on 24 March 1939 in Urmston, Lancashire.[1][2] Her father, Cyril, was a painter and decorator.[3] By the age of five, she was attending local ballet classes, and soon began appearing on stage.[3] She attended Flixton Girls School in Urmston and then trained as a dancer at the Royal Academy of Dance.[2][3] Early in her career, she appeared in repertory theatre and several West End venues.[4]

Career

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Television

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Baron's early television roles included small parts in Crossroads (1978), Up Pompeii (1970), Z-Cars (1971), and the British horror film Hands of the Ripper (1971). Baron appeared on television in BBC-3 (1965), a series in the vein of That Was the Week That Was, involving some of the same performers.[4] She also alternated with Annie Ross as the resident singer on Not So Much a Programme, More a Way of Life (1965). Baron was cast in the BBC science fiction series Doctor Who three times. She was heard as a singer in the 1966 serial The Gunfighters. She appeared in front of the cameras as Captain Wrack in the 1983 serial Enlightenment, and again in 2011 in "Closing Time" as Val.[4]

Baron is best known for playing Nurse Gladys Emmanuel in the BBC sitcom Open All Hours with Ronnie Barker and David Jason which ran for four series in 1976, 1981 to 1982 and in 1985, and was subsequently voted eighth in Britain's Best Sitcom in 2004.[4] The script asked for a character "of ample proportions", although she was in fact a slim build at the time. They overcame this by padding her clothes.[3]

In the 1970s and 1980s, Baron co-starred in the ITV sitcom Oh No It's Selwyn Froggitt and the BBC sitcom A Roof Over My Head with Brian Rix. She had a small part in Minder, and played the middle-aged temptress Lily Bless'er in the Last of the Summer Wine episode Getting Sam Home.[5] In 1986, she acted in a party political broadcast for the SDP–Liberal Alliance.[6] Baron also appeared in the 1987 Christmas special of The Two Ronnies and appeared in the BBC Two comedy series KYTV.[7]

In the 1990s, Baron played Auntie Pat in five episodes of the ITV sitcom The Upper Hand (1992–1993). Baron then went on to star in the children's television series Come Outside (1993–1997) playing Auntie Mabel, an everyday woman living in a bungalow set in Denham, who flew around on various adventures in her spotted aeroplane with her dog Pippin, educating children on how things are created and where they come from by visiting various factories or farms and even looking at wildlife in zoos.[4]

In 1997, Baron played the minor part of Renee Turnbull in Coronation Street and took guest roles in dinnerladies (1998), The Mrs Bradley Mysteries (1998), Sunburn (1999), Nancherrow (1999) and Goodnight Sweetheart (1999).[4]

Baron continued to work regularly on television and the stage in the 2000s, with credits including Fat Friends (2000–2005), The Bill (2000), Doctors (2000, 2006, 2010, 2011 and 2014), Peak Practice (2001), Holby City (2002 and 2006), Down to Earth (2005), Rome (2005) and Casualty (2009).[4]

Baron briefly appeared in the BBC One soap opera EastEnders in 2006 as Linda Clarke, the mother of Jane Beale, played by Laurie Brett. In September 2008, it was announced that Baron would be returning to EastEnders.[8] She appeared regularly in the series from November 2008 to February 2009. On 8 April 2016, it was announced that Baron would return to EastEnders once again, alongside John Partridge, who portrayed her on-screen son Christian Clarke. She appeared on screen in May and June 2016.[9]

In August 2010, Baron appeared in an episode of Agatha Christie's Marple on ITV. In September 2010, Baron appeared in a one-off television drama, The Road to Coronation Street on BBC Four, which looked back at the early days of the British television soap opera Coronation Street. Baron portrayed actress Violet Carson, who played Ena Sharples in the soap opera.[10] Baron was nominated for the 2011 British Academy Television Award for Best Supporting Actress for this role.[11]

On 26 December 2013, Baron reprised her role in a special one-off episode of Open All Hours on BBC One, entitled Still Open All Hours.[12] It was watched by 12.23 million viewers, almost a 40% share in audience figures on Boxing Day.[13] The following day, Baron took part in Open All Hours: A Celebration, a programme looking back on the sitcom. Following the success of the Christmas episode, the cast made a full series, which began on 26 December 2014, followed by a second series in December 2015. A third series began in December 2016, but Baron was unable to return because of other commitments.[14]

In December 2016, Baron made a guest appearance in a Christmas special of Citizen Khan and, in January 2017, she appeared in an episode of Father Brown, which was to become her final television appearance.[4]

Film

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Baron's film appearances include roles in The Small World of Sammy Lee (1963), Hot Millions (1968), Mrs. Brown You've Got a Lovely Daughter (1968), Can Heironymus Merkin Ever Forget Mercy Humppe and Find True Happiness? (1969), Tiffany Jones (1973), and the Hammer film Hands of the Ripper (1971) as an ill-fated prostitute. She also appeared in the Barbra Streisand film Yentl (1983), Carry On Columbus (1992), Colour Me Kubrick (2005) and Scoop (2006) directed by Woody Allen.[4]

Stage

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In 1987, Baron starred in the London production of the musical Follies at the Shaftesbury Theatre. In 2007, she starred with Orlando Bloom and Tim Healy in a stage version of In Celebration.[15] In May and June 2009, she appeared at the Menier Chocolate Factory in a production of Rookery Nook by Ben Travers.[16]

From October 2010 to February 2011, Baron starred with Maureen Lipman and Roy Hudd in a West End production of When We Are Married by J.B. Priestley.[17] In March 2013, she appeared in a production of D.H. Lawrence's play The Daughter-in-Law at the Sheffield Crucible.[18] She appeared at the Minerva Theatre, Chichester from April to May 2014 in Stevie by Hugh Whitemore, alongside Zoe Wanamaker and Chris Larkin.[19] Baron again appeared in the play from March to April 2015 at the Hampstead Theatre.[20]

Baron's other theatre credits include An Inspector Calls, Stepping Out, Entertaining Mr Sloane, and The Full Monty.[4]

Other work

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In 1995, Baron voiced the character of Nanny Ogg in the BBC Radio 4 adaptation of the Discworld novel Wyrd Sisters.[21] This same year she voiced the character of Angela Jefferies in the BBC Radio 4 sitcom titled England's Glory opposite Keith Barron.[21] In April 2012, Richard Kates released an album entitled There's Something About You, which featured Baron performing the track "A Hard Man Is Good to Find".[22] On 11 May 2012, Baron appeared in the Afternoon Play on BBC Radio 4, Mrs Lowry and Son, playing the mother of artist L.S. Lowry.[23]

Personal life and death

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In 1962, Baron married hairdresser and music impresario Cyril Smith, who performed under the name Carol London; they later divorced.[24] In 1966, she married John M. Lee. The couple had two children and were married until his death in 2001.[1][25]

Baron died on 5 March 2022 aged 82.[1][24][26] The official Twitter accounts of CBeebies[27] and EastEnders[28] posted tributes to Baron.

A short tribute to Baron aired as part of The One Show on the evening of 7 March 2022.[29]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1963 The Small World of Sammy Lee Yvette [4]
1964 Hide and Seek Flying Jacket [4]
1968 Mrs. Brown You've Got a Lovely Daughter Miss Fisher [4]
1968 Hot Millions Louise the Waitress [4]
1969 Can Heironymus Merkin Ever Forget Mercy Humppe and Find True Happiness? Baby Boobala Salesgirl Uncredited[4]
1971 Universal Soldier Party Guest Uncredited[4]
1971 Hands of the Ripper Long Liz [4]
1973 Tiffany Jones Anna Karekin [4]
1983 Yentl Peshe [4]
1992 Carry On Columbus Meg [4]
2001 Diggity's Treasure Emma Stamps [4]
2005 Colour Me Kubrick Mrs. Vitali [4]
2006 Scoop Tenant [4]
2010 You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger Alfie's Date [4]
2012 Run for Your Wife Nurse Cameo[4]
2017 Mary and the Witch's Flower Great-Aunt Charlotte Voice[4]
2020 Dream Horse Elsie

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1962 The Rag Trade June Episode: "Stay-in Strike"[21]
1966 Doctor Who Singer Episode: "The Gunfighters"[4]
1970 Up Pompeii! Ambrosia Episode: "The Love Potion"[21]
1973 Men of Affairs Mrs. Westerby Episode: "Episode Fourteen"[21]
1976–1985 Open All Hours Nurse Gladys Emmanuel Regular; 25 episodes [4]
1977 Oh No It's Selwyn Froggitt Vera Parkinson Regular:Series 2 & 3 (12 Episodes)[21][4]
A Roof Over My Head Sheila Regular: 7 episodes[21]
Don't Forget to Write! Sylvia Rhode Episode: "Thundering Hooves"[21]
1978 Crossroads Phoebe Tompkins [4]
1980 Grundy Beryl Loomis Regular: 6 episodes[21]
1983 Last of the Summer Wine Lilly Bless Her Episode: Getting Sam Home[4]
Doctor Who Captain Wrack Episode: "Enlightenment[4]
1992–1993 The Upper Hand Aunty Pat [4]
1993–1997 Come Outside Auntie Mabel Regular; 40 episodes [4]
1996 New Voices Barmaid [4]
1997 Coronation Street Renee Turnbull Guest [4]
1998 Dinnerladies Carmel Episode: "Scandal"[4]
2000 The Bill Sadie Tyler Episode: "Catch a Falling Star[4]
Doctors Nancy Green Episode: "Love is the Drug"[4]
Big Kids Aunt Muriel Episode: "Aunt Muriel"[4]
2002–2005 Fat Friends Norma Patterson Regular; 19 episodes[4]
2005 Rome Madame 1 episode[4]
2006,
2008–2009,
2016		 EastEnders Linda Clarke Recurring; 32 episodes[4]
2006 Doctors Barbara Cross 3 episodes[4]
2009 Casualty Molly Episode: "As Others See Us" [4]
2010 The Road to Coronation Street Violet Carson [4]
Agatha Christie's Marple Mrs. Coppins Episode: "The Pale Horse"[4]
2010–2011, 2014 Doctors Ag Penrose Recurring role[4]
2011 Doctor Who Val Episode: "Closing Time"[4]
2013–2016 Still Open All Hours Nurse Gladys Emmanuel Regular; 13 episodes [4]
2014 Chasing Shadows Regular; 4 episodes [4]
2016 Citizen Khan Clarenza 1 episode [4]
2017 Father Brown Mrs Rudge Episode #5.12 "The Theatre of the Invisible"[4]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Lynda Baron, actress best known as Nurse Gladys Emmanuel in Open All Hours and Auntie Mabel in Come Outside – obituary". The Daily Telegraph. 8 March 2022. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Lynda Baron – Questions and Answers – Interview". Londontheatre.co.uk. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
  3. ^ a b c d "Lynda Baron obituary". ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 22 April 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba "Lynda Baron". gordonandfrench.co.uk. Archived from the original on 12 March 2022. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
  5. ^ "Getting Sam Home". IMDb. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
  6. ^ "Social Democrat Party Election Broadcast: SDP/Liberal Alliance(06/05/86)". BFI Film and TV Database. Archived from the original on 10 May 2010. Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  7. ^ "Lynda Baron". Corrie.net. 7 December 1997. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
  8. ^ "Lynda Baron returns to 'EastEnders'". Digital Spy. 9 September 2008. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
  9. ^ "John Partridge and Lynda Baron to return to EastEnders". EastEnders News & Spoilers. 8 April 2016. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
  10. ^ "EastEnder to star in Corrie drama". BBC News. 28 June 2010.
  11. ^ "2011 Television Awards Nominations". 25 April 2011. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
  12. ^ "Sir David Jason back for Open All Hours Christmas show". BBC News. 7 October 2013.
  13. ^ "Open All Hours tops Boxing Day ratings". Digital Spy. 27 December 2013.
  14. ^ "Television | What's On". Whattowatch.com. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
  15. ^ "Orlando Bloom in David Storey's In Celebration at the Duke of York's Theatre from 5 July 2007". London Theatre. 5 July 2007. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
  16. ^ Billington, Michael (1 May 2009). "Theatre review: Rookery Nook, Menier Chocolate Factory, London". The Guardian.
  17. ^ "Lipman brings Priestley to Garrick | Official London Theatre – Your London Shows guide". Official London Theatre. 8 July 2010. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
  18. ^ Spittles, Tony (5 March 2013). "Review: The Daughter-in-Law, Sheffield Crucible". Worksop Guardian. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
  19. ^ Bosanquet, Theo; Bannister, Rosie (6 March 2014). "Chichester reopens Festival Theatre with Rupert Everett in Amadeus, plus Gypsy and Guys and Dolls". What's On Stage. Chichester.
  20. ^ "Full cast announced for Hampstead's 'Stevie'". Londontheatre.co.uk.
  21. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Lynda Baron". British Comedy Guide. Archived from the original on 17 August 2023. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  22. ^ Various artists, There's Something About You, retrieved 8 March 2022
  23. ^ "Radio 4 Programmes – Afternoon Drama, Mrs Lowry and Son". BBC. 11 May 2012. Retrieved 7 August 2012.
  24. ^ a b Hadoke, Toby (8 March 2022). "Lynda Baron obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  25. ^ "Lynda Baron". Corrie.net.
  26. ^ Gibb, Jessica; Rowlands, Robert; Kaur, Jaspreet; Kaur, Jaspreet (7 March 2022). "Tributes pour in as EastEnders actress Lynda Baron dies". CoventryLive. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  27. ^ "Tweet by @CBeebiesHQ "Lynda Baron: Open All Hours and Come Outside actress dies aged 82"". Twitter. 7 March 2022. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  28. ^ "Tweet by @BBCEastEnders "We're deeply saddened to hear that Lynda Baron has passed away"". Twitter. 7 March 2022. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
  29. ^ "The One Show - 07/03/2022". BBC iPlayer. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
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