Fran and Anna

Frances Watt, BEM (16 March 1922 – 14 October 2003)^[1] and Anna Watt, BEM (1924 – 19 February 2009) were two Scottish sisters from Coatbridge, Glasgow, who formed a singing duo. They came from a show-biz family, and were child performers touring Lanarkshire clubs from an early age. They initially joined their sister Lily, a pianist, on stage as puppeteers. This was to be the beginning of their career in show-business, a career that would last them almost seven decades. Lily became their manager, and continued until her death in 1998.

Their father was David Watt, a ventriloquist and children's entertainer who went by the stage name "Valentine Prince". He came from a family of musicians. Fran & Anna Came from a family of five siblings, all of whom never married and shared a house in Coatbridge. They performed as "The Prince Sisters" internationally in the 1950s and 1960s, gaining an international following on the cruise ship circuit. It wasn't until the early 70s when they changed their name to "Fran and Anna" that they had any real success in their native Scotland. They appeared regularly on the Scottish Television programme Thingummyjig, and also appeared with Terry Wogan on his show in the 80s. Upon hearing of Fran's death Terry Wogan said: "Fran and Anna made a great impact on the Wogan show when they appeared in the 80s, having already established themselves in Scotland. They were a great success and even to this day people ask me about them. It is with great sadness that I hear that Fran has passed away. My sympathies go out to Anna, her family and friends."

They were both awarded the British Empire Medal in 1989 for services in light entertainment.

Fran and Anna were known for their tartan mini skirts, rouged cheeks and fish net stockings. Perhaps the look they were most famous for was jabot fronted tartan mini dresses, with matching tartan hats, each decorated with a large feather. Their style is often referred to as "tartan kitsch" They are reported to have worn their trademark style daily.

Showbiz friend Johnny Beattie said "Despite all the years working beside them, I never ever saw either one without full make-up and costume, even when they weren't working. They came to the theatre like that and went away like that. In fact, I think they even went to bed like that."

Fran and Anna performed countless times at the Pavilion Theatre (Glasgow) giving their last ever performance their in 2002, alongside Jack Milroy, Johnny Beattie and with Gordon Cree at the piano.

Fran died of pneumonia in 2003, upon her death Anna said "I don't understand it. Fran hadn't been ill at all really before this. I'm just stunned. It just won't be the same... I don't know if I'll work alone, I don't know what I'm going to do."

Anna died of natural causes at St Andrews Hospice in her hometown, six years after her sister Fran died.

References

External links

• BBC reports Anna's death
• The Herald reports Anna's death
• article from the Sunday Mail
• Fran's obituary from the Daily Telegraph