| Gwen Taylor | |
|---|---|
| Born | 19 February 1939 Derby, England[1] |
| Years active | 1972–Present |
Gwen Taylor (born 19 February 1939[1] in Derby, England) is an actress who has appeared in many British television programmes, including Z-Cars, Murder Most Horrid, Yes, Prime Minister, Inspector Morse, Midsomer Murders[2] and Belonging. However, she is most famous for her roles in two sitcoms: as Amy Pearce in Duty Free (1984–86), and as Barbara Liversidge in Barbara (1995–2003).[2]
Her initial career was in banking, where she was Assistant Area Manager for the National Provincial Bank in Derby. Interested in amateur dramatics from an early age, her first professional acting role was as a 'Green Bean' in 'Jack and the Beanstalk' at Derby Playhouse.
Taylor trained at East 15 Acting School, London. In the 1970s, she was one of the regulars on Eric Idle's Rutland Weekend Television. She also appeared in other Monty Python spin-offs such as The Life of Brian and Ripping Yarns, and as Chastity and Mrs. Mountbatten in the Beatles parody The Rutles. On The Rutles DVD commentary, Eric Idle described her as "the best comedy actress I ever worked with. She could do anything."
She turned down a role in The Meaning of Life as she thought being covered in intestines, as a man exploded in a restaurant would be 'tasteless'.
In 1990 she was nominated for a Bafta TV award in the best actress category for her role in A Bit of a Do opposite David Jason. The other actresses nominated were Peggy Ashcroft, Judi Dench and the winner Diana Rigg.
She is most recently known for playing the role of the dishonest Peggy Armstrong in the drama Heartbeat.[2]
In July 2011 it was announced that Taylor would be joining the cast of Coronation Street, playing Anne, the mother of established character Frank Foster.[1]
Contents |
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Sounding Brass | Cynthia Wildgoose |
| 1984 to 1986 | Duty Free | Amy Pearce |
| 1989 | A Bit of a Do | Rita Simcock |
| 1989 | Sob Sisters | Liz |
| 1991 | The Sharp End | Celia Forrest |
| 1992 | Screaming | Annie |
| 1993 | Conjugal Rites | Gen Masefield |
| 1997 | A Perfect State | Laura Fitzgerald |
| 1997 | Pilgrim's Rest | Tilly |
| 1995 1999 to 2003 |
Barbara | Barbara Liversidge |
| Year | Title | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005–2010 | Heartbeat | Peggy Armstrong | |
| 2011- | Coronation Street | Anne Foster | Recurring role |