Pauline Collins, the acclaimed actor best known for her Oscar-nominated role in Shirley Valentine, has died aged 85. Her family announced that she passed away peacefully in her care home in Highgate, north London, surrounded by loved ones, after living with Parkinson's disease for several years.
Collins rose to fame in the 1970s with roles in The Liver Birds and Upstairs, Downstairs. She married fellow actor John Alderton in 1969. Her portrayal of the eponymous Shirley Valentine in both the stage and film adaptations earned her a Bafta for best actress and an Oscar nomination. Her family described her as a 'bright, sparky, witty presence on stage and screen'.
Born in Exmouth, Devon, in 1940, Collins began her career as a teacher before turning to acting. She appeared in Doctor Who in 1967 but turned down a long-term contract, later calling it 'like a prison sentence'. Her extensive television credits include Emergency Ward 10, No, Honestly, and the BBC's Bleak House.
In addition to her stage and screen work, Collins starred in films such as City of Joy, Paradise Road, and Mrs Caldicot's Cabbage War. Her final notable role was in Dustin Hoffman's directorial debut Quartet in 2013. Tributes have been paid by colleagues including Tom Conti, Dame Joanna Lumley, and Russell T Davies.
