Born in 1931 in Rotherham, she was a versatile English actress renowned for her roles in both dramatic and comedic genres. Rising to fame in the 1970s, she gained significant recognition for her performance in the British film "Kes" and later became a household name for her portrayal of Ivy Tilsley in the long-running soap opera "Coronation Street." Her career spanned several decades, during which she also ventured into singing and television presenting. She passed away in 2006.