Pauline Collins

Her guest appearance in Doctor Who (1963) nearly led to her becoming one of the Doctor's companions. But she turned down the chance to take a spin in the TARDIS to concentrate on other roles.

Collins entered motion pictures as a stripper in the exploitation film, Secrets of a Windmill Girl (1966), and television, as a maid in the British drama series Upstairs, Downstairs (1971).

Mother of Kate Alderton (b. 1972), Nicholas John Alderton (b. 1973) and Richard Antony Alderton (b. 1977).

In 1988, she starred in the one-woman play 'Shirley Valentine' in London, and soon after, brought the role to Broadway, winning a Tony Award.

She was awarded the O.B.E. (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2001 Queen's Birthday Honours List for her services to drama. She won a Tony Award as Best Actress in a Play for "Shirley Valentine.".

After more than 20 years, Pauline and husband John Alderton co-starred together in the 2004 play "Going Straight" at London's Richmond Theatre. It was a family affair as daughter/actress Kate Alderton completed the three-person cast.

Has played the mother of Sally Lindsay on Mount Pleasant (2011), as has Tracie Bennett on Scott & Bailey (2011). Collins previously played Bennett's mother in Shirley Valentine (1989).

Pauline and husband John Alderton, both stars of the 70's sit-com "No Honestly" attended Lynsey de Paul's funeral on 7 October 2014 in London. Lynsey de Paul was a close friend and also wrote the theme tune to No Honestly, ironically almost 40 years ago to the day.