Pat Coombs - Revision history

Kurt: /* Television */

2022-11-20T04:53:58Z

Television

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	An early television break came when she appeared with [[Tony Hancock]] in an episode of his series ''[[Hancock's Half Hour]]'' (1957). She followed this with regular appearances in ''[[Cyril Fletcher\|The Cyril Fletcher Show]]'' (1959) and later she became a regular performer in ''[[The Dick Emery Show]]''. She also starred in the sitcoms ''[[Barney Is My Darling]]'' (1965–66) alongside Irene Handl and ''[[Wild, Wild Women]]'' (1969) alongside [[Barbara Windsor]]. She also appeared in the BBC's 13-part adaptation of [[w:Dombey and Son (1969 TV series)\|''Dombey and Son'']] as Lucretia Tox.		An early television break came when she appeared with [[Tony Hancock]] in an episode of his series ''[[Hancock's Half Hour]]'' (1957). She followed this with regular appearances in ''[[Cyril Fletcher\|The Cyril Fletcher Show]]'' (1959) and later she became a regular performer in ''[[The Dick Emery Show]]''. She also starred in the sitcoms ''[[Barney Is My Darling]]'' (1965–66) alongside Irene Handl and ''[[Wild, Wild Women]]'' (1969) alongside [[Barbara Windsor]]. She also appeared in the BBC's 13-part adaptation of [[w:Dombey and Son (1969 TV series)\|''Dombey and Son'']] as Lucretia Tox.

	After a relatively unsuccessful partnership with [[Peggy Mount]] in the television series ''[[Lollipop Loves Mr Mole]]'' ([[ITV Network\|ITV]], 1971), the two women found a better platform for their talents when they were reunited in [[w:ITV Yorkshire\|Yorkshire Television]]'s ''[[You're Only Young Twice]]'' (1977–81), set in a home for the elderly; the actresses became close friends. During her long career Coombs made two contributions to ''[[Dad's Army]]''. In 1970 she played Mrs Hall in [[Dad's Army (1971 film)\|the first film adaptation]], and in 1975 she played the dual part of Marie and the Clippie in the [[List of Dad's Army radio episodes\|radio adaptation]] of "[[A Soldier's Farewell]]".		After a relatively unsuccessful partnership with [[Peggy Mount]] in the television series ''[[Lollipop Loves Mr Mole]]'' ([[w:ITV Network\|ITV]], 1971), the two women found a better platform for their talents when they were reunited in [[w:ITV Yorkshire\|Yorkshire Television]]'s ''[[You're Only Young Twice]]'' (1977–81), set in a home for the elderly; the actresses became close friends. During her long career Coombs made two contributions to ''[[Dad's Army]]''. In 1970 she played Mrs Hall in [[Dad's Army (1971 film)\|the first film adaptation]], and in 1975 she played the dual part of Marie and the Clippie in the [[List of Dad's Army radio episodes\|radio adaptation]] of "[[A Soldier's Farewell]]".

	Her other television work included ''[[Beggar My Neighbour (TV series)\|Beggar My Neighbour]]'' (1966-68), ''[[Don't Drink the Water (TV series)\|Don't Drink the Water]]'' (1974–75), ''[[Up Pompeii!]]'' (1970), ''[[Till Death Us Do Part]]'' (1966–75) and its sequel ''[[In Sickness and in Health]]'' (1990, 1992) and ''The Lady is a Tramp'' (1983), in the last of which she co-starred with [[Patricia Hayes]] in a series set among 'down-and-outs'. Coombs was also the subject of ''[[w:This Is Your Life (British TV series)\|This Is Your Life]]'' in 1978, and appeared regularly as a guest on [[w:Noel Edmonds\|Noel Edmonds]]'s Saturday night entertainment show ''[[w:Noel's House Party\|Noel's House Party]]'' (1992–95) and on the game shows ''[[w:Blankety Blank\|Blankety Blank]]'' and ''[[w:Celebrity Squares\|Celebrity Squares]]'' (1975–79), returning for its revival in 1993–94.		Her other television work included ''[[Beggar My Neighbour (TV series)\|Beggar My Neighbour]]'' (1966-68), ''[[Don't Drink the Water (TV series)\|Don't Drink the Water]]'' (1974–75), ''[[Up Pompeii!]]'' (1970), ''[[Till Death Us Do Part]]'' (1966–75) and its sequel ''[[In Sickness and in Health]]'' (1990, 1992) and ''The Lady is a Tramp'' (1983), in the last of which she co-starred with [[Patricia Hayes]] in a series set among 'down-and-outs'. Coombs was also the subject of ''[[w:This Is Your Life (British TV series)\|This Is Your Life]]'' in 1978, and appeared regularly as a guest on [[w:Noel Edmonds\|Noel Edmonds]]'s Saturday night entertainment show ''[[w:Noel's House Party\|Noel's House Party]]'' (1992–95) and on the game shows ''[[w:Blankety Blank\|Blankety Blank]]'' and ''[[w:Celebrity Squares\|Celebrity Squares]]'' (1975–79), returning for its revival in 1993–94.

Kurt: /* Television */

2022-11-20T04:53:43Z

Television

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:53, 19 November 2022
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	===Television===		===Television===
	An early television break came when she appeared with [[Tony Hancock]] in an episode of his series ''[[Hancock's Half Hour]]'' (1957). She followed this with regular appearances in ''[[Cyril Fletcher\|The Cyril Fletcher Show]]'' (1959) and later she became a regular performer in ''[[The Dick Emery Show]]''. She also starred in the sitcoms ''[[Barney Is My Darling]]'' (1965–66) alongside Irene Handl and ''[[Wild, Wild Women]]'' (1969) alongside [[Barbara Windsor]]. She also appeared in [[Dombey and Son (1969 TV series)\|~~the BBC's 13-part adaptation of~~ ''Dombey and Son'']] as Lucretia Tox.		An early television break came when she appeared with [[Tony Hancock]] in an episode of his series ''[[Hancock's Half Hour]]'' (1957). She followed this with regular appearances in ''[[Cyril Fletcher\|The Cyril Fletcher Show]]'' (1959) and later she became a regular performer in ''[[The Dick Emery Show]]''. She also starred in the sitcoms ''[[Barney Is My Darling]]'' (1965–66) alongside Irene Handl and ''[[Wild, Wild Women]]'' (1969) alongside [[Barbara Windsor]]. She also appeared in the BBC's 13-part adaptation of [[w:Dombey and Son (1969 TV series)\|''Dombey and Son'']] as Lucretia Tox.

	After a relatively unsuccessful partnership with [[Peggy Mount]] in the television series ''[[Lollipop Loves Mr Mole]]'' ([[ITV Network\|ITV]], 1971), the two women found a better platform for their talents when they were reunited in [[ITV Yorkshire\|Yorkshire Television]]'s ''[[You're Only Young Twice]]'' (1977–81), set in a home for the elderly; the actresses became close friends. During her long career Coombs made two contributions to ''[[Dad's Army]]''. In 1970 she played Mrs Hall in [[Dad's Army (1971 film)\|the first film adaptation]], and in 1975 she played the dual part of Marie and the Clippie in the [[List of Dad's Army radio episodes\|radio adaptation]] of "[[A Soldier's Farewell]]".		After a relatively unsuccessful partnership with [[Peggy Mount]] in the television series ''[[Lollipop Loves Mr Mole]]'' ([[ITV Network\|ITV]], 1971), the two women found a better platform for their talents when they were reunited in [[w:ITV Yorkshire\|Yorkshire Television]]'s ''[[You're Only Young Twice]]'' (1977–81), set in a home for the elderly; the actresses became close friends. During her long career Coombs made two contributions to ''[[Dad's Army]]''. In 1970 she played Mrs Hall in [[Dad's Army (1971 film)\|the first film adaptation]], and in 1975 she played the dual part of Marie and the Clippie in the [[List of Dad's Army radio episodes\|radio adaptation]] of "[[A Soldier's Farewell]]".

	Her other television work included ''[[Beggar My Neighbour (TV series)\|Beggar My Neighbour]]'' (1966-68), ''[[Don't Drink the Water (TV series)\|Don't Drink the Water]]'' (1974–75), ''[[Up Pompeii!]]'' (1970), ''[[Till Death Us Do Part]]'' (1966–75) and its sequel ''[[In Sickness and in Health]]'' (1990, 1992) and ''The Lady is a Tramp'' (1983), in the last of which she co-starred with [[Patricia Hayes]] in a series set among 'down-and-outs'. Coombs was also the subject of ''[[This Is Your Life (British TV series)\|This Is Your Life]]'' in 1978,~~{{Citation needed\|date=September 2021}}~~ and appeared regularly as a guest on [[Noel Edmonds]]'s Saturday night entertainment show ''[[Noel's House Party]]'' (1992–95) and on the game shows ''[[Blankety Blank]]'' and ''[[Celebrity Squares]]'' (1975–79), returning for its revival in 1993–94.		Her other television work included ''[[Beggar My Neighbour (TV series)\|Beggar My Neighbour]]'' (1966-68), ''[[Don't Drink the Water (TV series)\|Don't Drink the Water]]'' (1974–75), ''[[Up Pompeii!]]'' (1970), ''[[Till Death Us Do Part]]'' (1966–75) and its sequel ''[[In Sickness and in Health]]'' (1990, 1992) and ''The Lady is a Tramp'' (1983), in the last of which she co-starred with [[Patricia Hayes]] in a series set among 'down-and-outs'. Coombs was also the subject of ''[[w:This Is Your Life (British TV series)\|This Is Your Life]]'' in 1978, and appeared regularly as a guest on [[w:Noel Edmonds\|Noel Edmonds]]'s Saturday night entertainment show ''[[w:Noel's House Party\|Noel's House Party]]'' (1992–95) and on the game shows ''[[w:Blankety Blank\|Blankety Blank]]'' and ''[[w:Celebrity Squares\|Celebrity Squares]]'' (1975–79), returning for its revival in 1993–94.

	In 1989, she appeared in the [[BBC]] [[soap opera]] ''[[EastEnders]]''. For a year she played [[Marge Green]], [[tawny owl\|Brown Owl]] of the [[Walford]] [[Brownies (Girl Guides)\|Brownies]]' pack, where she worked closely with ''EastEnders'' regulars [[June Brown]], [[Edna Doré]] and [[Gretchen Franklin]]. Coombs's character was introduced as part of a deliberate attempt to bring humour into the programme, which had come under attack for being too depressing. The character subsequently became one of many to be axed in 1990 following the appointment of new executive producer [[Michael Ferguson (director)\|Michael Ferguson]]. Coombs was said to be extremely upset that the character of Marge only lasted for one year, but the producers felt there was no place in the programme's new plan for a character "whose prime function was to be comic relief".<ref name="first10years">{{cite book \|last=Brake\|first= Colin\|author-link= Colin Brake\|title= EastEnders: The First 10 Years: A Celebration \|year=1995\|publisher=BBC Books\|isbn=978-0-563-37057-4\|title-link= EastEnders spin-offs#Non-fiction books}}</ref>		In 1989, she appeared in the [[w:BBC\|BBC]] [[w:soap opera\|soap opera]] ''[[w:EastEnders\|EastEnders]]''. For a year she played [[w:Marge Green\|Marge Green]], [[w:tawny owl\|Brown Owl]] of the [[w:Walford\|Walford]] [[w:Brownies (Girl Guides)\|Brownies]]' pack, where she worked closely with ''EastEnders'' regulars [[w:June Brown\|June Brown]], [[w:Edna Doré\|Edna Doré]] and [[w:Gretchen Franklin\|Gretchen Franklin]]. Coombs's character was introduced as part of a deliberate attempt to bring humour into the programme, which had come under attack for being too depressing. The character subsequently became one of many to be axed in 1990 following the appointment of new executive producer [[w:Michael Ferguson (director)\|Michael Ferguson]]. Coombs was said to be extremely upset that the character of Marge only lasted for one year, but the producers felt there was no place in the programme's new plan for a character "whose prime function was to be comic relief".<ref name="first10years">{{cite book \|last=Brake\|first= Colin\|author-link= w:Colin Brake\|title= EastEnders: The First 10 Years: A Celebration \|year=1995\|publisher=BBC Books\|isbn=978-0-563-37057-4\|title-link= EastEnders spin-offs#Non-fiction books}}</ref>

	Following her stint in ''EastEnders'', Coombs went on to guest in the BBC comedy ''[[Birds of a Feather (TV series)\|Birds of a Feather]]'', ''[[Boon (TV series)\|Boon]]'' and the BBC medical drama ''[[Doctors (2000 TV series)\|Doctors]]'' in 2001, which was her last appearance on screen.		Following her stint in ''EastEnders'', Coombs went on to guest in the BBC comedy ''[[Birds of a Feather (TV series)\|Birds of a Feather]]'', ''[[w:Boon (TV series)\|Boon]]'' and the BBC medical drama ''[[w:Doctors (2000 TV series)\|Doctors]]'' in 2001, which was her last appearance on screen.

	According to ''[[Guinness World Records\|The Guinness Book of Records]]'' she holds the record for the largest number of takes for a TV commercial. According to Coombs: "I just couldn't remember the name of the product."		According to ''[[w:Guinness World Records\|The Guinness Book of Records]]'' she holds the record for the largest number of takes for a TV commercial. According to Coombs: "I just couldn't remember the name of the product."

	===Film===		===Film===

Kurt: /* Children’s TV */

2022-11-20T04:43:17Z

Children’s TV

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	===Children’s TV===		===Children’s TV===
	Coombs was also a regular on children's television. Hers was one of the voices heard in the children's series ''[[Ragdolly Anna]]'' (1982–87), she played Policewoman Pat in ''[[Mooncat\|Mooncat and Co]]'' (1984–85) and voiced one of the puppets in the children's show ''[[Playbox (1980s TV series)\|Playbox]]'' (1988) alongside [[Keith Chegwin]]. She was seen in ''[[Rainbow (TV series)\|Rainbow]]'' (1981–82), ''[[The Basil Brush Show]]'' (1977–79) and ''[[Supergran]]'', and joined [[Stanley Baxter]] to play Miss Flavia Jelly in the first two series of ''[[Mr Majeika]]'' (1988–89), among many others.		Coombs was also a regular on children's television. Hers was one of the voices heard in the children's series ''[[w:Ragdolly Anna\|Ragdolly Anna]]'' (1982–87), she played Policewoman Pat in ''[[w:Mooncat\|Mooncat and Co]]'' (1984–85) and voiced one of the puppets in the children's show ''[[w:Playbox (1980s TV series)\|Playbox]]'' (1988) alongside [[w:Keith Chegwin\|Keith Chegwin]]. She was seen in ''[[w:Rainbow (TV series)\|Rainbow]]'' (1981–82), ''[[w:The Basil Brush Show\|The Basil Brush Show]]'' (1977–79) and ''[[w:Supergran\|Supergran]]'', and joined [[Stanley Baxter]] to play Miss Flavia Jelly in the first two series of ''[[w:Mr Majeika\|Mr Majeika]]'' (1988–89), among many others.

	==Personal life==		==Personal life==

Kurt: /* Film */

2022-11-20T04:41:39Z

Film

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	===Film===		===Film===
	Coombs had also appeared in many films, including ''[[A Stitch in Time (film)\|A Stitch in Time]]'' (1963), ''[[Carry On Doctor]]'' (1967), ''[[Carry On Again Doctor]]'' (1969), ''[[Cucumber Castle (film)\|Cucumber Castle]]'' (1970) starring the [[Bee Gees]], ''[[Ooh... You Are Awful]]'' (1972) with [[Dick Emery]], and [[Spike Milligan]]'s ''[[Adolf Hitler: My Part in his Downfall (film)\|Adolf Hitler: My Part in His Downfall]]'' (1972), as well as the movie versions of ''[[Till Death Us Do Part (film)\|Till Death Us Do Part]]'' (1969), ''[[On the Buses (film)\|On the Buses]]'' (1971) and ''[[Dad's Army (1971 film)\|Dad's Army]]'' (1971). She also had a minor uncredited role as Henrietta Salt in ''[[Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory]]'' in 1971.~~[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0067992/fullcredits#cast]~~		Coombs had also appeared in many films, including ''[[A Stitch in Time (film)\|A Stitch in Time]]'' (1963), ''[[Carry On Doctor]]'' (1967), ''[[Carry On Again Doctor]]'' (1969), ''[[Cucumber Castle (film)\|Cucumber Castle]]'' (1970) starring the [[w:Bee Gees\|Bee Gees]], ''[[Ooh... You Are Awful]]'' (1972) with [[Dick Emery]], and [[Spike Milligan]]'s ''[[Adolf Hitler: My Part in his Downfall (film)\|Adolf Hitler: My Part in His Downfall]]'' (1972), as well as the movie versions of ''[[Till Death Us Do Part (film)\|Till Death Us Do Part]]'' (1969), ''[[On the Buses (film)\|On the Buses]]'' (1971) and ''[[Dad's Army (1971 film)\|Dad's Army]]'' (1971). She also had a minor uncredited role as Henrietta Salt in ''[[w:Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory\|Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory]]'' in 1971.

	===Children’s TV===		===Children’s TV===

Kurt at 04:37, 20 November 2022

2022-11-20T04:37:10Z

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	Born in [[w:Camberwell\|Camberwell]], [[w:South London\|South London]], Coombs was one of three children; her father worked in insurance for the Employers' Liability, the forerunner of [[w:Commercial Union\|Commercial Union]].		Born in [[w:Camberwell\|Camberwell]], [[w:South London\|South London]], Coombs was one of three children; her father worked in insurance for the Employers' Liability, the forerunner of [[w:Commercial Union\|Commercial Union]].

	Coombs attended the County School for Girls in [[w:Beckenham\|Beckenham]], [[w:Kent\|Kent]]. After leaving school, she began her working life as a student [[w:kindergarten\|infant school]] teacher, but soon a keenness to act prompted her to take drama lessons during the [[w:Second World War\|Second World War]] with her friend and neighbour [[w:Vivien Merchant\|Vivien Merchant]].<ref name="pat4">"[https://www.theguardian.com/obituaries/story/0,3604,723345,00.html Pat Coombs]", ''[[w:The Guardian\|The Guardian]]'', last accessed 15 February 2007</ref> At the age of 19 she won a scholarship to train as an actress at [[w:London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art\|LAMDA]], where she subsequently taught [[w:dialect\|dialect]].<ref name="pat2">"[http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20020528/ai_n12618507 Obituary: Pat Coombs]", ''[[w:The Independent\|]]'', last accessed 15 February 2007</ref>		Coombs attended the County School for Girls in [[w:Beckenham\|Beckenham]], [[w:Kent\|Kent]]. After leaving school, she began her working life as a student [[w:kindergarten\|infant school]] teacher, but soon a keenness to act prompted her to take drama lessons during the [[w:Second World War\|Second World War]] with her friend and neighbour [[w:Vivien Merchant\|Vivien Merchant]].<ref name="pat4">"[https://www.theguardian.com/obituaries/story/0,3604,723345,00.html Pat Coombs]", ''[[w:The Guardian\|The Guardian]]'', last accessed 15 February 2007</ref> At the age of 19 she won a scholarship to train as an actress at [[w:London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art\|LAMDA]], where she subsequently taught [[w:dialect\|dialect]].<ref name="pat2">"[http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20020528/ai_n12618507 Obituary: Pat Coombs]", ''[[w:The Independent\|The Independent]]'', last accessed 15 February 2007</ref>

	==Career==		==Career==

Kurt: /* Illness and death */

2022-11-20T04:36:27Z

Illness and death

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	==Illness and death==		==Illness and death==
	Coombs was diagnosed with [[osteoporosis]] in 1995, and became an active campaigner for the [[National Osteoporosis Society]]. Her Christmas appeal letter raised £100,000 for the charity's research.		Coombs was diagnosed with [[w:osteoporosis\|osteoporosis]] in 1995, and became an active campaigner for the [[w:National Osteoporosis Society\|National Osteoporosis Society]]. Her Christmas appeal letter raised £100,000 for the charity's research.

	She had just completed a role for [[BBC Radio 4\|Radio 4]] alongside [[Roy Hudd]] and [[June Whitfield]] in ''Like They've Never Been Gone'' when she died on 25 May 2002, aged 75, from [[emphysema]] in [[Denville Hall]] actors' home, a west London nursing home to which she had moved to be close to her friend [[Peggy Mount]], who had died six months earlier.<ref name="pat4"/>		She had just completed a role for [[w:BBC Radio 4\|Radio 4]] alongside [[Roy Hudd]] and [[June Whitfield]] in ''Like They've Never Been Gone'' when she died on 25 May 2002, aged 75, from [[w:emphysema\|emphysema]] in [[w:Denville Hall]] actors' home, a west London nursing home to which she had moved to be close to her friend [[Peggy Mount]], who had died six months earlier.<ref name="pat4"/>

	==Filmography==		==Filmography==

Kurt at 04:35, 20 November 2022

2022-11-20T04:35:15Z

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	\| caption =		\| caption =
	\| birth_date = {{birth date\|1926\|08\|27\|df=y}}		\| birth_date = {{birth date\|1926\|08\|27\|df=y}}
	\| birth_place = [[w:Camberwell]], [[w:London]], England		\| birth_place = [[w:Camberwell\|Camberwell]], [[w:London\|London]], England
	\| death_date = {{death date and age\|2002\|05\|25\|1926\|08\|27\|df=y}}		\| death_date = {{death date and age\|2002\|05\|25\|1926\|08\|27\|df=y}}
	\| death_place = [[w:Northwood, London\|Northwood]], England		\| death_place = [[w:Northwood, London\|Northwood]], England
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	==External links==		==External links==
	~~{{Portal\|Biography}}~~
	*[https://www.theguardian.com/news/2002/may/28/guardianobituaries.arts Obituary], theguardian.com; accessed 16 January 2016.		*[https://www.theguardian.com/news/2002/may/28/guardianobituaries.arts Obituary], theguardian.com; accessed 16 January 2016.
	*{{Find a Grave\|8746377}}		*{{Find a Grave\|8746377}}
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	*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090907031731/http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/individual/23244?view=credit Pat Coombs profile], ftvdb.bfi.org.uk; accessed 19 August 2015.		*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090907031731/http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/individual/23244?view=credit Pat Coombs profile], ftvdb.bfi.org.uk; accessed 19 August 2015.

	~~{{Authority control}}~~

	{{DEFAULTSORT:Coombs, Pat}}		{{DEFAULTSORT:Coombs, Pat}}

Kurt at 04:30, 20 November 2022

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	{{Short description\|English actress (1926–2002)}}		{{Short description\|English actress (1926–2002)}}
	~~{{About\|the character actress, Pat Coombs\|the writer\|Patricia Coombs}}~~
	~~{{Use British English\|date=March 2012}}~~
	~~{{Use dmy dates\|date=June 2020}}~~
	{{Infobox person		{{Infobox person
	\| name = Pat Coombs		\| name = Pat Coombs
	\| image = ~~Actress_Pat_Coombs~~.jpg		\| image = ActressPatCoombs.jpg
	~~\| imagesize =~~
	\| caption =		\| caption =
	\| birth_date = {{birth date\|1926\|8\|27\|df=y}}		\| birth_date = {{birth date\|1926\|08\|27\|df=y}}
	\| birth_place = [[Camberwell]], [[London]], England		\| birth_place = [[w:Camberwell]], [[w:London]], England
	\| death_date = {{death date and age\|2002\|5\|25\|1926\|8\|27\|df=y}}		\| death_date = {{death date and age\|2002\|05\|25\|1926\|08\|27\|df=y}}
	\| death_place = [[Northwood, London]], England		\| death_place = [[w:Northwood, London\|Northwood]], England
	\| birthname = Patricia Doreen Coombs		\| birthname = Patricia Doreen Coombs
	\| occupation = Actress		\| occupation = Actress
	\| years_active = 1959–1994		\| years_active = 1959–1994
	}}		}}
	'''Patricia Doreen Coombs''' (27 August 1926 – 25 May 2002) was an English actress. She specialised in the portrayal of the eternal downtrodden female, comically under the thumb of stronger personalities. She was known for many roles on radio, film and television [[sitcom]]s and Children's ITV's ''[[Playbox (1980s TV series)\|Playbox]]'' and ''[[Ragdolly Anna]]''. Her authorised biography, written by Andrew Ross, was published in 2021.		'''Patricia Doreen Coombs''' (27 August 1926 – 25 May 2002) was an English actress. She specialised in the portrayal of the eternal downtrodden female, comically under the thumb of stronger personalities. She was known for many roles on radio, film and television [[w:sitcom\|sitcom]]s and Children's ITV's ''[[w:Playbox (1980s TV series)\|Playbox]]'' and ''[[w:Ragdolly Anna\|Ragdolly Anna]]''. Her authorised biography, written by Andrew Ross, was published in 2021.

	==Early life==		==Early life==
	Born in [[Camberwell]], [[South London]], Coombs was one of three children; her father worked in insurance for the Employers' Liability, the forerunner of [[Commercial Union]].		Born in [[w:Camberwell\|Camberwell]], [[w:South London\|South London]], Coombs was one of three children; her father worked in insurance for the Employers' Liability, the forerunner of [[w:Commercial Union\|Commercial Union]].

	Coombs attended the County School for Girls in [[Beckenham]], [[Kent]]. After leaving school, she began her working life as a student [[kindergarten]] teacher, but soon a keenness to act prompted her to take drama lessons during the [[Second World War]] with her friend and neighbour [[Vivien Merchant]].<ref name="pat4">"[https://www.theguardian.com/obituaries/story/0,3604,723345,00.html Pat Coombs]", ''[[The Guardian]]'', last accessed 15 February 2007</ref> At the age of 19 she won a scholarship to train as an actress at [[London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art\|LAMDA]], where she subsequently taught [[dialect]].<ref name="pat2">"[http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20020528/ai_n12618507 Obituary: Pat Coombs]", ''[[The Independent]]'', last accessed 15 February 2007</ref>		Coombs attended the County School for Girls in [[w:Beckenham\|Beckenham]], [[w:Kent\|Kent]]. After leaving school, she began her working life as a student [[w:kindergarten\|infant school]] teacher, but soon a keenness to act prompted her to take drama lessons during the [[w:Second World War\|Second World War]] with her friend and neighbour [[w:Vivien Merchant\|Vivien Merchant]].<ref name="pat4">"[https://www.theguardian.com/obituaries/story/0,3604,723345,00.html Pat Coombs]", ''[[w:The Guardian\|The Guardian]]'', last accessed 15 February 2007</ref> At the age of 19 she won a scholarship to train as an actress at [[w:London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art\|LAMDA]], where she subsequently taught [[w:dialect\|dialect]].<ref name="pat2">"[http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20020528/ai_n12618507 Obituary: Pat Coombs]", ''[[w:The Independent\|]]'', last accessed 15 February 2007</ref>

	==Career==		==Career==

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2022-07-21T18:23:03Z

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en>BritFlicks1: /* Film */

2022-06-17T00:14:57Z

Film

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{{Short description|English actress (1926–2002)}}
{{About|the character actress, Pat Coombs|the writer|Patricia Coombs}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Pat Coombs
| image = Actress_Pat_Coombs.jpg
| imagesize =
| caption =
| birth_date = {{birth date|1926|8|27|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Camberwell]], [[London]], England
| death_date = {{death date and age|2002|5|25|1926|8|27|df=y}}
| death_place = [[Northwood, London]], England
| birthname = Patricia Doreen Coombs
| occupation = Actress
| years_active = 1959–1994
}}
'''Patricia Doreen Coombs''' (27 August 1926 – 25 May 2002) was an English actress. She specialised in the portrayal of the eternal downtrodden female, comically under the thumb of stronger personalities. She was known for many roles on radio, film and television [[sitcom]]s and Children's ITV's ''[[Playbox (1980s TV series)|Playbox]]'' and ''[[Ragdolly Anna]]''. Her authorised biography, written by Andrew Ross, was published in 2021.

==Early life==
Born in [[Camberwell]], [[South London]], Coombs was one of three children; her father worked in insurance for the Employers' Liability, the forerunner of [[Commercial Union]].

Coombs attended the County School for Girls in [[Beckenham]], [[Kent]]. After leaving school, she began her working life as a student [[kindergarten]] teacher, but soon a keenness to act prompted her to take drama lessons during the [[Second World War]] with her friend and neighbour [[Vivien Merchant]].<ref name="pat4">"[https://www.theguardian.com/obituaries/story/0,3604,723345,00.html Pat Coombs]", ''[[The Guardian]]'', last accessed 15 February 2007</ref> At the age of 19 she won a scholarship to train as an actress at [[London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art|LAMDA]], where she subsequently taught [[dialect]].<ref name="pat2">"[http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20020528/ai_n12618507 Obituary: Pat Coombs]", ''[[The Independent]]'', last accessed 15 February 2007</ref>

==Career==

===Radio===
She first made her name in the post-war era of radio variety as 'Nola', the dim and put-upon daughter of [[Irene Handl]] in [[Arthur Askey]]'s ''Hello Playmates''; their double-act had started as a guest spot on [[Bob Monkhouse]]'s show. Coombs also gained experience as a comedy stooge in radio shows alongside [[Ted Ray (comedian)|Ted Ray]] and [[Charlie Chester]].

===Television===
An early television break came when she appeared with [[Tony Hancock]] in an episode of his series ''[[Hancock's Half Hour]]'' (1957). She followed this with regular appearances in ''[[Cyril Fletcher|The Cyril Fletcher Show]]'' (1959) and later she became a regular performer in ''[[The Dick Emery Show]]''. She also starred in the sitcoms ''[[Barney Is My Darling]]'' (1965–66) alongside Irene Handl and ''[[Wild, Wild Women]]'' (1969) alongside [[Barbara Windsor]]. She also appeared in [[Dombey and Son (1969 TV series)|the BBC's 13-part adaptation of ''Dombey and Son'']] as Lucretia Tox.

After a relatively unsuccessful partnership with [[Peggy Mount]] in the television series ''[[Lollipop Loves Mr Mole]]'' ([[ITV Network|ITV]], 1971), the two women found a better platform for their talents when they were reunited in [[ITV Yorkshire|Yorkshire Television]]'s ''[[You're Only Young Twice]]'' (1977–81), set in a home for the elderly; the actresses became close friends. During her long career Coombs made two contributions to ''[[Dad's Army]]''. In 1970 she played Mrs Hall in [[Dad's Army (1971 film)|the first film adaptation]], and in 1975 she played the dual part of Marie and the Clippie in the [[List of Dad's Army radio episodes|radio adaptation]] of "[[A Soldier's Farewell]]".

Her other television work included ''[[Beggar My Neighbour (TV series)|Beggar My Neighbour]]'' (1966-68), ''[[Don't Drink the Water (TV series)|Don't Drink the Water]]'' (1974–75), ''[[Up Pompeii!]]'' (1970), ''[[Till Death Us Do Part]]'' (1966–75) and its sequel ''[[In Sickness and in Health]]'' (1990, 1992) and ''The Lady is a Tramp'' (1983), in the last of which she co-starred with [[Patricia Hayes]] in a series set among 'down-and-outs'. Coombs was also the subject of ''[[This Is Your Life (British TV series)|This Is Your Life]]'' in 1978,{{Citation needed|date=September 2021}} and appeared regularly as a guest on [[Noel Edmonds]]'s Saturday night entertainment show ''[[Noel's House Party]]'' (1992–95) and on the game shows ''[[Blankety Blank]]'' and ''[[Celebrity Squares]]'' (1975–79), returning for its revival in 1993–94.

In 1989, she appeared in the [[BBC]] [[soap opera]] ''[[EastEnders]]''. For a year she played [[Marge Green]], [[tawny owl|Brown Owl]] of the [[Walford]] [[Brownies (Girl Guides)|Brownies]]' pack, where she worked closely with ''EastEnders'' regulars [[June Brown]], [[Edna Doré]] and [[Gretchen Franklin]]. Coombs's character was introduced as part of a deliberate attempt to bring humour into the programme, which had come under attack for being too depressing. The character subsequently became one of many to be axed in 1990 following the appointment of new executive producer [[Michael Ferguson (director)|Michael Ferguson]]. Coombs was said to be extremely upset that the character of Marge only lasted for one year, but the producers felt there was no place in the programme's new plan for a character "whose prime function was to be comic relief".<ref name="first10years">{{cite book |last=Brake|first= Colin|author-link= Colin Brake|title= EastEnders: The First 10 Years: A Celebration |year=1995|publisher=BBC Books|isbn=978-0-563-37057-4|title-link= EastEnders spin-offs#Non-fiction books}}</ref>

Following her stint in ''EastEnders'', Coombs went on to guest in the BBC comedy ''[[Birds of a Feather (TV series)|Birds of a Feather]]'', ''[[Boon (TV series)|Boon]]'' and the BBC medical drama ''[[Doctors (2000 TV series)|Doctors]]'' in 2001, which was her last appearance on screen.

According to ''[[Guinness World Records|The Guinness Book of Records]]'' she holds the record for the largest number of takes for a TV commercial. According to Coombs: "I just couldn't remember the name of the product."

===Film===
Coombs had also appeared in many films, including ''[[A Stitch in Time (film)|A Stitch in Time]]'' (1963), ''[[Carry On Doctor]]'' (1967), ''[[Carry On Again Doctor]]'' (1969), ''[[Cucumber Castle (film)|Cucumber Castle]]'' (1970) starring the [[Bee Gees]], ''[[Ooh... You Are Awful]]'' (1972) with [[Dick Emery]], and [[Spike Milligan]]'s ''[[Adolf Hitler: My Part in his Downfall (film)|Adolf Hitler: My Part in His Downfall]]'' (1972), as well as the movie versions of ''[[Till Death Us Do Part (film)|Till Death Us Do Part]]'' (1969), ''[[On the Buses (film)|On the Buses]]'' (1971) and ''[[Dad's Army (1971 film)|Dad's Army]]'' (1971). She also had a minor uncredited role as Henrietta Salt in ''[[Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory]]'' in 1971.[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0067992/fullcredits#cast]

===Children’s TV===
Coombs was also a regular on children's television. Hers was one of the voices heard in the children's series ''[[Ragdolly Anna]]'' (1982–87), she played Policewoman Pat in ''[[Mooncat|Mooncat and Co]]'' (1984–85) and voiced one of the puppets in the children's show ''[[Playbox (1980s TV series)|Playbox]]'' (1988) alongside [[Keith Chegwin]]. She was seen in ''[[Rainbow (TV series)|Rainbow]]'' (1981–82), ''[[The Basil Brush Show]]'' (1977–79) and ''[[Supergran]]'', and joined [[Stanley Baxter]] to play Miss Flavia Jelly in the first two series of ''[[Mr Majeika]]'' (1988–89), among many others.

==Personal life==
Coombs never married or had children. She said that twice she came close to marrying, but was not sure enough to proceed.<ref name="pat4"/> She once remarked: "I've never been wildly ambitious; I think if I'd been married, my career would have gone out of the window."<ref name="pat3">"[https://web.archive.org/web/20031020220159/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=%2Fnews%2F2002%2F05%2F28%2Fdb2801.xml Pat Coombs]", ''[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]]'', last accessed 15 February 2007</ref>

==Illness and death==
Coombs was diagnosed with [[osteoporosis]] in 1995, and became an active campaigner for the [[National Osteoporosis Society]]. Her Christmas appeal letter raised £100,000 for the charity's research.

She had just completed a role for [[BBC Radio 4|Radio 4]] alongside [[Roy Hudd]] and [[June Whitfield]] in ''Like They've Never Been Gone'' when she died on 25 May 2002, aged 75, from [[emphysema]] in [[Denville Hall]] actors' home, a west London nursing home to which she had moved to be close to her friend [[Peggy Mount]], who had died six months earlier.<ref name="pat4"/>

==Filmography==
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! class = "unsortable" | Notes
|-
| 1959
| ''[[Follow a Star]]''
| Simpering Girl in Theatre
| Uncredited
|-
| 1962
| ''[[She'll Have to Go]]''
| Lady on Station Platform
| Uncredited
|-
| 1963
| ''[[A Stitch in Time (film)|A Stitch in Time]]''
| Nurse
| Uncredited
|-
|rowspan=2|1968
| ''[[Carry On Doctor]]''
| Anxious Patient
| Uncredited
|-
| ''[[Till Death Us Do Part (film)|Till Death Us Do Part]]''
| Neighbour
|
|-
|rowspan=2|1969
| ''[[Cry Wolf (1969 film)|Cry Wolf]]''
| Mrs. Blades
|
|-
| ''[[Carry On Again Doctor]]''
| New Matron
|
|-
| 1970
| ''[[Cucumber Castle (film)|Cucumber Castle]]''
| Nurse Sarah Charles Bottom
|
|-
|rowspan=3|1971
| ''[[Dad's Army (1971 film)|Dad's Army]]''
| Mrs. Hall
|
|-
| ''[[Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory]]''
| Henrietta Salt
| Uncredited
|-
| ''[[On the Buses]]''
| Vera
|
|-
| 1972
| ''[[Ooh... You Are Awful]]''
| Libby Niven
|
|-
| 1973
|''[[Adolf Hitler: My Part in his Downfall (film)|Adolf Hitler: My Part in His Downfall]]''
| Spike's Mother
|
|-
| 1980
| ''High Rise Donkey''
| Lady attending Donkey Derby
|
|-
| 1994
| ''Birds of a feather ''
| Gloria worked at Sharon’s cafe
|
|}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}Pat Coombs - The Authorised biography by Andrew Ross (Fantom Publishing, 2021)

==External links==
{{Portal|Biography}}
*[https://www.theguardian.com/news/2002/may/28/guardianobituaries.arts Obituary], theguardian.com; accessed 16 January 2016.
*{{Find a Grave|8746377}}
*{{IMDb name|0177711}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090907031731/http://ftvdb.bfi.org.uk/sift/individual/23244?view=credit Pat Coombs profile], ftvdb.bfi.org.uk; accessed 19 August 2015.

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Coombs, Pat}}
[[Category:1926 births]]
[[Category:2002 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century English actresses]]
[[Category:21st-century English actresses]]
[[Category:Deaths from emphysema]]
[[Category:Alumni of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art]]
[[Category:English film actresses]]
[[Category:English radio actresses]]
[[Category:English soap opera actresses]]
[[Category:English television actresses]]
[[Category:People from Camberwell]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:53, 19 November 2022
Line 29:		Line 29:
	An early television break came when she appeared with [[Tony Hancock]] in an episode of his series ''[[Hancock's Half Hour]]'' (1957). She followed this with regular appearances in ''[[Cyril Fletcher\|The Cyril Fletcher Show]]'' (1959) and later she became a regular performer in ''[[The Dick Emery Show]]''. She also starred in the sitcoms ''[[Barney Is My Darling]]'' (1965–66) alongside Irene Handl and ''[[Wild, Wild Women]]'' (1969) alongside [[Barbara Windsor]]. She also appeared in the BBC's 13-part adaptation of [[w:Dombey and Son (1969 TV series)\|''Dombey and Son'']] as Lucretia Tox.		An early television break came when she appeared with [[Tony Hancock]] in an episode of his series ''[[Hancock's Half Hour]]'' (1957). She followed this with regular appearances in ''[[Cyril Fletcher\|The Cyril Fletcher Show]]'' (1959) and later she became a regular performer in ''[[The Dick Emery Show]]''. She also starred in the sitcoms ''[[Barney Is My Darling]]'' (1965–66) alongside Irene Handl and ''[[Wild, Wild Women]]'' (1969) alongside [[Barbara Windsor]]. She also appeared in the BBC's 13-part adaptation of [[w:Dombey and Son (1969 TV series)\|''Dombey and Son'']] as Lucretia Tox.

	After a relatively unsuccessful partnership with [[Peggy Mount]] in the television series ''[[Lollipop Loves Mr Mole]]'' ([[ITV Network\|ITV]], 1971), the two women found a better platform for their talents when they were reunited in [[w:ITV Yorkshire\|Yorkshire Television]]'s ''[[You're Only Young Twice]]'' (1977–81), set in a home for the elderly; the actresses became close friends. During her long career Coombs made two contributions to ''[[Dad's Army]]''. In 1970 she played Mrs Hall in [[Dad's Army (1971 film)\|the first film adaptation]], and in 1975 she played the dual part of Marie and the Clippie in the [[List of Dad's Army radio episodes\|radio adaptation]] of "[[A Soldier's Farewell]]".		After a relatively unsuccessful partnership with [[Peggy Mount]] in the television series ''[[Lollipop Loves Mr Mole]]'' ([[w:ITV Network\|ITV]], 1971), the two women found a better platform for their talents when they were reunited in [[w:ITV Yorkshire\|Yorkshire Television]]'s ''[[You're Only Young Twice]]'' (1977–81), set in a home for the elderly; the actresses became close friends. During her long career Coombs made two contributions to ''[[Dad's Army]]''. In 1970 she played Mrs Hall in [[Dad's Army (1971 film)\|the first film adaptation]], and in 1975 she played the dual part of Marie and the Clippie in the [[List of Dad's Army radio episodes\|radio adaptation]] of "[[A Soldier's Farewell]]".

	Her other television work included ''[[Beggar My Neighbour (TV series)\|Beggar My Neighbour]]'' (1966-68), ''[[Don't Drink the Water (TV series)\|Don't Drink the Water]]'' (1974–75), ''[[Up Pompeii!]]'' (1970), ''[[Till Death Us Do Part]]'' (1966–75) and its sequel ''[[In Sickness and in Health]]'' (1990, 1992) and ''The Lady is a Tramp'' (1983), in the last of which she co-starred with [[Patricia Hayes]] in a series set among 'down-and-outs'. Coombs was also the subject of ''[[w:This Is Your Life (British TV series)\|This Is Your Life]]'' in 1978, and appeared regularly as a guest on [[w:Noel Edmonds\|Noel Edmonds]]'s Saturday night entertainment show ''[[w:Noel's House Party\|Noel's House Party]]'' (1992–95) and on the game shows ''[[w:Blankety Blank\|Blankety Blank]]'' and ''[[w:Celebrity Squares\|Celebrity Squares]]'' (1975–79), returning for its revival in 1993–94.		Her other television work included ''[[Beggar My Neighbour (TV series)\|Beggar My Neighbour]]'' (1966-68), ''[[Don't Drink the Water (TV series)\|Don't Drink the Water]]'' (1974–75), ''[[Up Pompeii!]]'' (1970), ''[[Till Death Us Do Part]]'' (1966–75) and its sequel ''[[In Sickness and in Health]]'' (1990, 1992) and ''The Lady is a Tramp'' (1983), in the last of which she co-starred with [[Patricia Hayes]] in a series set among 'down-and-outs'. Coombs was also the subject of ''[[w:This Is Your Life (British TV series)\|This Is Your Life]]'' in 1978, and appeared regularly as a guest on [[w:Noel Edmonds\|Noel Edmonds]]'s Saturday night entertainment show ''[[w:Noel's House Party\|Noel's House Party]]'' (1992–95) and on the game shows ''[[w:Blankety Blank\|Blankety Blank]]'' and ''[[w:Celebrity Squares\|Celebrity Squares]]'' (1975–79), returning for its revival in 1993–94.