kids encyclopedia robot

Di Botcher facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Di Botcher
Born
Diane F Botcher

(1959-06-02) 2 June 1959 (age 65)
Occupation Actress
Years active 1986–present
Known for Stella
Little Britain
Casualty
Downton Abbey

Diane Botcher (born 2 June 1959) is a Welsh actress. She has starred in several British television sitcoms and dramas, including the Sky comedy drama Stella, BBC comedy Little Britain and the ITV period drama Downton Abbey. In 2018, she joined Casualty as Jan Jenning.

Early life

Botcher was born on 2 June 1959 in Taibach, Port Talbot, Glamorgan, in Wales, one of the two children of parents Bernard and Glenys Botcher. She read English and drama at Warwick University, and after graduating, trained at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art drama school in London, then obtained an Equity card in the 1980s.

Career

Throughout her long career on stage and screen, Botcher has been receiving warm reviews. In a performance of the musical Blood Brothers with the Sherman Theatre Company in 1986, Botcher's performance as the "warm-hearted mum" was singled out by a reviewer as one of the good points in a production which needed "beefing up". Of Black Milk (2003), a reviewer wrote, "In a strong cast, Di Botcher is a beacon." Her performance in the 2017/18 revival of Follies was universally appreciated - “wonderful”, with a "stunner of a set piece";

In 2018, she began appearing in the BBC medical drama Casualty as Jan Jennings. Later that year, she also began portraying the role of Nana Margie in the BBC Three series In My Skin. 2022 BBC Radio 4 The Archers as Caitlin Thomas.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1997 Twin Town Jean Lewis
2002 All or Nothing Supervisor Cameo role
2002 Ant Muzak Diana Fluck the Checkout Assistant Short film
2008 Albert's Speech Gloria Short film
2011 Hunky Dory Viv's mum
2012 The Gospel of Us The Mother Set in Botcher's birthplace
2013 Svengali Mrs Cooper
2013 One Chance Nurse Cameo role
2015 Under Milk Wood Mrs Dai Bread Two
2020 Dream Horse Nerys
2021 La Cha Cha Mrs. Fruitcake

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1986 Screen Two Officer Kyle Series 2, Episode 2
1987 The District Nurse Eirlys Prosser Series 3, Episode 6
1993, 1997 The Bill Mrs. Oakes/Mrs. Edwards 2 episodes
1997 Harpur and Iles Jane Mellick Television film
1999 Sunburn Wendy's mum Series 1, Episode 3
1999 Kavanagh QC Tilly Burgess Series 5, Episode 2
1999 Rhinoceros Megan Jones Television film
2001 Fun at the Funeral Parlour Edith Series 1, Episode 4
2001 People Like Us Frances Churchfield Series 2, Episode 6
2001 The Armando Iannucci Shows Tinaturnerogram 2 episodes
2001 'Orrible Di Clark Recurring character
2002 Casualty Louise Templeton Series 16, Episode 26
2002 Tipping the Velvet Woman with Cigar 2 episodes
2002 Cruise of the Gods Mrs. Hatcher Television film
2002–2008 High Hopes Mrs. Coles Recurring character; 20 episodes
2003–2005 Little Britain Marion/Meals on Wheels Lady 6 episodes
2003–2009 Belonging Vanessa Recurring character
2004 Green Wing Catering Manager Series 1, Episode 3
2005 All About George Dorothy Mickens Episode 1
2005 The Thick of It Pauline McKendrick Series 2, Episode 1
2005 Bleak House Mrs. Woodcourt 2 episodes
2006–2008 Pulling Margaret Recurring character
2007 Ideal Nicki's mum Voice only
2007 Hotel Babylon Myra Walmesley Series 2, Episode 8
2007 Murphy's Law 2 episodes
2007 After You've Gone Sheila Series 2, Episode 5
2008 Coming of Age Ollie's mum Series 1, Episode 5
2008 Dustbin Baby Pat Television film
2008–2009 Katy Brand's Big ... Show Various characters 5 episodes
2008, 2010, 2012 Doctors Sharon Bretherton/Linda Bolton/Dorit Simpson 3 episodes
2009 No Signal! Various characters Series 1, Episode 9
2009 Collision Mrs. Whitfield 2 episodes
2010 Lennon ... Dot Television film
2010 Sherlock Connie Prince Series 1, Episode 3
2010 Coming Up Bernadette Series 8, Episode 4
2011 Come Fly with Me Mrs. Talbot Episode 2
2011 Shirley Mrs. Morrison Television film about Dame Shirley Bassey
2011 DCI Banks Grace Series 2, Episode 3
2012 Mr Stink Woman with Question Television film
2013 Downton Abbey Nanny West Series 4, Episode 1
2013–2017 Stella Aunty Brenda Main role
2014 Inside No. 9 Jean Episode 5
2014 Under Milk Wood Mrs. Dai Bread One Television film
2015 Coronation Street Debbie Allinson 2 episodes
2015 Top Coppers Sandra
2015 High Hopes Mrs Coles
2018–present Casualty Jan Jenning Main role
2018–2021 In My Skin Nana Margie Main role

Selected stage performances

Year Title Theatre Role
2017–2018 Follies National Theatre Hattie Walker
1997 Cardiff East Vera, Marge and Dolly's friend
1995–1996 A Little Night Music Mrs Anderssen
1993–1994 Sweeney Todd Ensemble
2010–2011 A Flea in Her Ear Old Vic Olympe
2009 Chicago Cambridge Theatre Matron "Mama" Morton
2003 Black Milk Royal Court Auntie Pasha
2000 Flesh and Blood Hampstead Theatre Marge
1997 Beauty and the Beast Dominion Theatre Madame de la Grande Bouche
1990 Sunday in the Park with George London Revival
  • Frieda (Act One)
  • Elaine (Act Two)
1986 Blood Brothers Sherman Theatre Mother
1986 Richard III Royal Shakespeare Company at the Adelaide Festival Theatre Lady of the court
2003 Terrorism Royal Court Old biddy
Cats New London Grizabella
1995 Under Milk Wood National Theatre Miss Price; Mrs Beynon
1986–1987 A Midsummer Night's Dream Royal Shakespeare Company Titania
1987 Speculators Carol Cutter
1999 Card Boys Bush Theatre Iris
2010 If So, Then Yes Jermyn Street Theatre Welsh charlady
2009 A History Of Falling Things Theatr Clwyd Mum
2004 Les Misérables Copenhagen Madame Thenardier
kids search engine
Di Botcher Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.