| Polly Perkins | |
|---|---|
| Born | Gillian Nessie Arnold 31 May 1943 London, England |
| Occupation | Actress, Singer, Writer |
| Years active | 1959–present |
Polly Perkins (born 31 May 1943) is a British actress, singer and writer.
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Polly Perkins was born Gillian Arnold to theatrical parents Dickie and Mitzi, who both had a successful career performing a cabaret/vaudeville act. Her step mother Dottie Arnold was also a successful variety performer.[1] Perkins has two children, singer songwriter Tim Arnold and film producer/director Toby Tobias.[2] In 1985, Perkins moved to Spain.
Perkins started her career performing at the Windmill Theatre in Soho,[3] when still in her teens, she first appeared nude aged 15.
During the 60's, Perkins was a teen pop star, a BBC thespian and the first compere of the cult TV show Ready Steady Go!. She starred in stage musicals as diverse as Salad Days and Let My People Come, and appeared in episodes of Minder, The Sweeney, Rules of Justice and Nanny.[4] Perkins was the leading lady in many West End cabaret clubs including The Gaslight, The Directors Lodge, The Gargoyle, The Piano Bar and Madam Jo-Jo's. She became a much-loved figure in Soho clubs for her smoky rendition of Edith Piaf's Je Ne Regrette Rien.[5]
Perkins was cast as Trish Valentine, a washed-up nightclub singer, in the BBC soap opera Eldorado in the mid-90s. In 2011, she returned to the stage in the debut performance of songs from her son's new musical Secrets of Soho at The Phoenix Artist Club.[6]
In May 2011, it was announced by that Perkins would be joining the cast of BBC soap opera EastEnders as Rose, the estranged sister of Dot Branning. Speaking of her casting, Perkins said "I am thrilled to be joining the cast of EastEnders, the show is a real British institution with an extraordinary creative team. I'm really looking forward to working with June again, who I have been friends with for over 30 years."[7]