| Madge Hindle | |
|---|---|
| Born | Madge Hindle 19 May 1938 Blackburn, Lancashire, England |
| Occupation | Television actress |
Madge Hindle (born 19 May 1938 in Blackburn, Lancashire) is a British actress, best known for her roles on television series.
Madge's big break came when her good friend, British playwright Alan Bennett, asked her to appear in his 1966 BBC comedy series On the Margin.[1]
From 1968 to 1973, she played the role of Lily Tattersall on the series Nearest and Dearest. When the series' director, Bill Podmore, took over as producer of Coronation Street, he thought of her when he created the role of the feisty young shopkeeper, Renee Bradshaw.[2]
Madge's character was married off to the character Alf Roberts (played by Bryan Mosley), ostensibly so he could serve with her in the shop. However, in 1980, Madge was told she was to be 'killed off'. Renee was killed when her car was struck by a lorry. Madge remains philosophical about her 'death' in Coronation Street, saying that if they had to write her out, at least they killed her, which meant she would never be tempted to return, thus risking typecasting.
She has appeared in two of Alan Bennett's television plays: Sunset Across the Bay and Intensive Care. She still counts Alan Bennett as a friend, as was the late Russell Harty. She also played the governor's secretary Mrs Hesketh in BBC sitcom Porridge. She co-starred with Ronnie Barker in a second role in the Two Ronnies' almost-silent TV movie By The Sea as The Companion.
In addition to being an actress, she was Mayoress of Blackburn to her mother's Mayor. Her daughter, Charlotte Hindle, rose to prominence in the 1980s as a presenter on the Saturday morning children's show Get Fresh.
Most recently, Madge has played alongside Gwen Taylor on the 1990s television series Barbara.[3]
She is also the Honorary Vice-President of Blackburn Arts Club, an amateur dramatic society. Madge, along with her husband Michael, appeared in many productions for Blackburn Arts Club during the 1960s.
She now lives with her husband Michael in a converted farm house that she originally brought with good friend Russell Harty. The house is near to the market town of Settle in North Yorkshire.