Doreen Keogh facts for kids

Doreen Sheila Elsie Keogh (born April 10, 1924 – died December 31, 2017) was a famous Irish actress. She worked in radio, on stage, in TV shows, and in movies. Doreen was best known for playing Concepta Riley. Concepta was the very first barmaid at the Rovers Return Inn in the popular TV show Coronation Street. Doreen played Concepta from 1960 to 1964. She also made special guest appearances in 1967, 1972, and 1975.

Early Life and Acting Start

Doreen Keogh was born in Dublin, Ireland. Her father, John Keogh, was a librarian. Her mother was Alice Mullany. Doreen went to the Holy Faith Convent school in Clontarf, Dublin. This is where she first started acting. She was also part of a local group that put on plays for fun.

When Doreen was 15, she left school. She went to train at the Abbey Theatre School in Dublin. Later, her family moved to London during World War II because of her father's job. Her first acting job in London was playing Christine Horan in a play called The Man from Kilsheelan.

Doreen's Acting Career

Doreen Keogh's first role on television was in 1948. She played Miss Fulton in a crime drama called Death at Newtownstewart. After that, she appeared in many other shows. These included The Whiteheaded Boy in 1951 and Emergency Ward 10 in 1960.

Starring in Coronation Street

Doreen Keogh became famous for her role as Concepta Riley in Coronation Street. She was one of the first characters on the show. Concepta was the first barmaid at the Rovers Return Inn. Doreen played this role from 1960 to 1964. She returned for short visits in 1967, 1972, and 1975.

The character of Concepta was created by Tony Warren. She helped to bring different accents to the show. Most of the original actors had accents from northern England.

In 1961, Concepta married Harry Hewitt. He was a bus inspector who had lost his wife. Concepta became a stepmother to his daughter, Lucille Hewitt (Jennifer Moss). Doreen's character left the show in 1964. Concepta and her family moved back to Ireland.

Doreen came back to Coronation Street a few times. In 1967, Concepta and Harry returned for a wedding. During this story, Harry sadly died in an accident. Five years later, in 1972, Doreen returned again. Her character, Concepta, married Sean Regan. In 1975, Concepta told Annie Walker that she knew Sean was not faithful. But she still loved him. In total, Doreen Keogh appeared in 320 episodes of Coronation Street.

Other TV Shows and Films

After leaving Coronation Street in 1964, Doreen acted in a play called Coronation Street On The Road. She toured with other actors from the show.

Doreen had many other TV roles. She was in Z-Cars in 1974. She also appeared in Mary in Inside Out in 1985. From 1997 to 1999, she played Imelda Egan in Ballykissangel. Doreen was also Mary Carroll, a neighbor in The Royle Family, from 1998 to 2006. She had regular roles in Father Ted and Cold Feet. In Ireland, she was an original cast member of Fair City. She played Mary O'Hanlon from 1989 to 1995. Doreen also appeared in Crossroads in 1969.

She also had many smaller roles in movies. These included Some Mother's Son in 1996. She played a mother superior in this film. In 1970, she was in the musical Darling Lili with Julie Andrews.

Doreen even helped famous actress Barbra Streisand. She taught Barbra how to speak with a specific accent for her 1970 film, On A Clear Day You Can See Forever.

In 2007, Doreen appeared in a funny TV ad. It was for a charity that helps older people. She played "Betty from the Grey Tigers party." She told people to vote to make their grandmothers proud.

Theatre Roles

Doreen Keogh performed in many plays during her career. In 1953, she was in Purple Dust. She also acted in famous London theatres. These included Say Goodnight to Grandma in 1973. She was in Once a Catholic in 1978 and Ducking Out in 1982. Doreen also played Mrs. O'Toole in Look Out ... Here Comes Trouble! in 1978. She was Mrs. Madigan in Juno and the Paycock in 1980.

In Dublin, Doreen was in a play called Beyond Reasonable Doubt in 1988. In 1992, she played a mother in Una Pooka. Later roles included The Silver Tassie in 1995. She was also in The Importance of Being Earnest in 1997. In 2001, she acted in The Three Sisters.

Personal Life

Doreen Keogh married actor Frank Singuineau in 1954. Their marriage later ended in 1963. In 1976, she married her second husband, Jack Jenner. They stayed married until Doreen passed away. Doreen did not have any children.

When she was not acting, Doreen enjoyed fixing up homes with her husband. She was a big fan of Liverpool Football Club. She also supported charities that help animals. Doreen lived in Kent and then in County Wicklow, Ireland. She loved having pets like dogs, donkeys, and ducks.

Doreen Keogh had Alzheimer's disease. She passed away on December 31, 2017, at the age of 93. She died at St. Columba's Hospital in Thomastown, County Kilkenny, Ireland. Her funeral was held on January 4, 2018. She is buried in Cappagh Cemetery in Ireland.

Filmography

Television

Film