Dilys Laye R.I.P.

john · Post by **john** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 12:11 am

Another of our great comedy and character actresses, Dilys Laye has passed away at the age of 74. Always liked her from the Carry On films (she was in 4 of them) plus more recently in Eastenders and also Coronation Sreet. I wrote to her several years ago after she had appeared in Coronation Street, and she sent me a photo and a nice letter.
R.I.P.

john · Post by **john** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 12:15 am

Just spotted she actually died on the 13th February but only just found out.

Marian · Post by **Marian** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 12:18 am

I know the name very well John, but I can't quite see her face. Do you remember who she played in Eastenders and Coronation Street?
R.I.P.
Marian.

john · Post by **john** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 12:27 am

In Coronation Street she played Isobel, the wife of one of Rita's friend's at the time who was suffering from Alzeimers. It is several years ago now, but her last performance was in the recent "Commander" tv series, only a few weeks ago. In Carry On Camping she played Bernard Bresslaw's girl friend, who was car sick all the time.

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 12:35 am

Yes at first I also couldn't place her, but of course I can now John
Very sad to hear of her passing.

Marian · Post by **Marian** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 12:42 pm

I found this obituary to Dilys Laye on line. Thought you might like to read it John.

Dilys Laye
Actress | 1934 - 2009

Hard-working, talented performer on stage, television, radio and film

London-born actress Dilys Laye, who died on 13 February, 2009, aged 74, was in constant demand from the 1950s onwards for parts on radio, TV, film and stage. But many will remember her for her roles in four of the most popular Carry On films.

She was also a writer and co-wrote the TV series Chintz in which she starred in 1981 alongside Michele Dotrice.

Born on 11 March, 1934, she was evacauted to the country during World War Two and on her return attended the Ada Foster Stage School from the age of 13.

As a teenager she made her film debut playing the young Trottie True in the film of the same name which also starred Bill Owen - later famous as Compo in Last of The Summer Wine. Future star Ian Carmichael also had a bit part in the film and the two became friends for life.

Her last recorded appearance was in 2008 playing Edna Sutton in the TV series The Commander:Abduction.

In between she played many of the great female roles on stage including Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Ernest; Ruth in The Pirates of Penzance; Aunt Ella in Oklahoma and Golde in Fiddler on the Roof.

She shared a flat with Julie Andrews in the 1950s when the two co-starred in the original Broadway production of The Boyfriend.

Ms Laye was asked to do her first Carry On with three daysâ€™ notice. She told The Stage newspaper in a 2005 interview: â€œI took over the role that was intended for Joan Sims in Carry On Cruising because Joan was ill. After that, whenever they wanted a small comedienne who could do accents, they sent for me. I was never beautiful like Barbara Murray, or sexy like Diana Dors , I was the character girl who looked good opposite little comics like Charlie Drake and Norman Wisdom.â€

She also appeared in Carry On Doctor, Carry On Spying and Carry On Camping.

She was cast in the films Blue Murder At St Trinianâ€™s and Doctor at Large and also had a cameo role in A Countess From Hong Kong (1967) which was directed by Charlie Chaplin and starred Marlon Brando and Sophia Loren.

She was a leading member of the Royal Shakespeare Company and on television she was seen in Holby City, Doctors, Coronation Street, Midsomer Murders and played Maxine Palmer - mother of Debbie - in EastEnders.

Ms Laye also worked with Leslie Crowther and Michael Miles in a programme called Accent On Youth. Dilys and Leslie were both in their teens at the time and remained friends until Leslie died in 1996.

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 1:20 pm

Thanks for that report on Dilys Laye Marian. Not only was she a very attractive lady and a good actress, but the roles that she played were varied and she was kept busy during her career.

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 3:56 pm

Thar was sad news. Many , many , years ago, I had a boyfriend, who worked in a very posh restaurant in St Martins Lane, and Dilys Laye was appearing in a theatre just along the road, and she often had a meal in there. He always said what lovely lady she was, and I always looked out for her in films and TV after that.

ROBERT M. · Post by **ROBERT M.** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 4:07 pm

http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgur ... %26hl%3Den

ROBERT M. · Post by **ROBERT M.** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 4:10 pm

Another photo of Dilys in her later years

http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgur ... n%26sa%3DN

john · Post by **john** » Sat Feb 21, 2009 7:09 pm

Thanks for the photos Robert, also thanks Marian for the obituary. I remember thinking when she was in "The Commander" a few weeks ago she didn't look well. She was quite a good poker player also I believe, I remember about 2 or 3 years ago she was on a Celebrity Poker programme on satellite.

ROBERT M. · Post by **ROBERT M.** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 1:37 am

I remember her very well in those Carry On films, she was very pretty

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 9:06 am

She was pretty Robert, and stayed attractive in the later years, and at least she appeared to have had a happy life.

Marian · Post by **Marian** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 11:31 am

...and as with many actors, remained busy and active in her work right up to the end.

Marian.

ROBERT M. · Post by **ROBERT M.** » Sun Feb 22, 2009 10:28 pm

john will hopefully know the answer to this..............was Dily's married to Bernard Bresslaw in one of the Carry On film's, the one were they stayed in the caravan

or am I thinking about another actress/or another film.