Dilys Watling
Dilys Watling | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Dilys Rhys Jones 5 May 1942 Fulmer Chase, Buckinghamshire, England |
| Died | 10 August 2021 (aged 79) |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1962–1994 |
| Spouse(s) | Bruce Anderson Owen Teale |
| Children | 1 |
| Parent(s) | Sidney Rhys Jones Patricia Hicks Jack Watling (stepfather) |
| Relatives | Deborah Watling (maternal half-sister) Giles Watling (maternal half-brother) |
Dilys Watling (born Dilys Rhys Jones, 5 May 1942 – 10 August 2021) was an English actress, best known for appearing on British television (Coronation Street, The Benny Hill Show and The Two Ronnies).[1]
Biography
Watling was born Dilys Rhys Jones, the daughter of actor Ion Rhys Jones and Patricia Hicks. Ion Rhys Jones was killed in action in World War II, and her mother later married actor Jack Watling.[2]
She attended St Mary's Convent School, Woodford, Essex, followed by acting school. She acted in repertory theatre and at the Bristol Old Vic. Watling was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical for her Broadway debut in the short-lived Georgy in 1970. It proved to be her sole Broadway credit. Other stage credits include the musical Pickwick (1964), an adaptation of Dickens's The Pickwick Papers; the role of the Beggar Woman in the 1980 London cast of Sweeney Todd in the West End; and the West End multi-media Dave Clark rock musical Time (1986). She also made occasional film appearances, including rôles in the comedy Two Left Feet (1963); crime film, Calculated Risk, (also 1963); and the horror film, Theatre of Death, (1967).
Personal life
Watling has four half-siblings through her mother's marriage to actor Jack Watling. These include actor Deborah and politician/actor Giles Watling.
Watling had been married twice: her first husband was Australian Bruce Anderson, from whom she divorced. After a relationship with actor Christopher Matthews, she later married Owen Teale, by whom she has a son, Ion.
On 10 August 2021, she died aged 79 after a long illness.[3][4][5]
TV credits
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1962 | Compact | Gillian Nesbitt |
| 1965 | The Likely Lads Episode: 'A Star Is Born' |
Rhona |
| 1965 | United! | Sue Grainger |
| 1966 | Theatre 625 Episode: 'Doctor Knock' |
Nurse |
| 1966 | Pardon the Expression Episode: 'Night to Remember' |
Miss Foster |
| 1966 | Coronation Street | Merle Baker (4 episodes) |
| 1967 | ITV Play of the Week Episode: 'Dr De Waldo's Therapy' |
Janet |
| 1967 | Mr Rose Episode: 'The Deadly Doll' |
Wendy Lee |
| 1967 | Twice a Fortnight | Various |
| 1969 | Will the Real Mike Yarwood Stand Up? | |
| 1969 | The Frankie Howerd Show | Various |
| 1969 | Never Mind the Quality, Feel the Width Episode: 'Arrivederci Roma' |
Stewardess |
| 1970 | The Other Reg Varney | Various |
| 1971 | Sykes: With the Lid Off | |
| 1971 | Paul Temple Episode: 'Game, Set and Match' |
Marge |
| 1971 | Scott On... Episodes: 'Entertainment'; 'Dress' |
|
| 1972–79 | The Two Ronnies | Various |
| 1976 | The Morecambe & Wise Show | Flossie, A Serving Wench |
| 1977 | The Benny Hill Show | |
| 1987 | Harry's Kingdom (TV film) | Dawn |
| 1991 | The Bill Episode: 'Getting Involved' |
Mrs Goodall |
| 1994 | Minder Episode: 'A Fridge Too Far' |
Mrs Kravitz |
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1963 | Calculated Risk | Julie |
| 1963 | Two Left Feet | Mavis |
| 1967 | Theatre of Death | Heidi |
References
- ^ The Guardian, Dilys Watling obituary, published 31 August 2021
- ^ Shorter, Eric (25 May 2001). "Obituary: Jack Watling". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
- ^ Dwan, James (13 August 2021). "Tributes paid to Tony award nominated actress Dilys Watling, 78". Wandsworth Times.
- ^ Coronation Street star Dilys Watling dies aged 78 Metro, 16th August 2021. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
- ^ Dilys Watling death: Coronation Street and The Two Ronnies star dies aged 78 The Independent, 16 August 2021. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
External links
- Pages with script errors
- Pages using infobox person with multiple spouses
- Pages using infobox person with multiple parents
- 1942 births
- 2021 deaths
- English musical theatre actresses
- English television actresses
- People from Gerrards Cross
- Actresses from Buckinghamshire
- 20th-century English actresses
- English people of Welsh descent
- English film actresses
- Alumni of Bristol Old Vic Theatre School
