Eileen Derbyshire facts for kids

Eileen Derbyshire (born October 6, 1931) is an English actress. She is famous for playing Emily Bishop in the TV show Coronation Street. This show has been on TV for a very long time! Eileen played Emily for 55 years, from 1961 to 2016. She even made a short appearance again in 2019. This made her the longest-serving female actor in a British TV soap opera. Her son, Oliver Holt, is a sports journalist. She received an award called an MBE in 2010 for her long acting career.

Eileen Derbyshire's Early Life

Eileen was born in Urmston, Lancashire, England, on October 6, 1931. When she was 17, she started acting in radio plays. She also had a few small roles on television. In 1961, she joined the TV show Coronation Street. She first played a character named Miss Nugent. In 1962, her character was given the name Emily, and she became the Emily Bishop we know.

Eileen Derbyshire's Acting Career

Eileen studied at the Northern School of Music. She also passed her exams at the Royal Academy of Music. She first taught speech and drama. However, she always wanted to be an actress. One day, she saw a theatre and decided to ask for an audition. She became a student there. Later, she worked as an assistant stage manager.

After that, Eileen joined a touring theatre group. She performed in plays all over the country. She also acted in many other theatre shows across the UK. Her long career in acting led her to become a beloved TV star.

Eileen Derbyshire's Personal Life

Eileen Derbyshire married an engineer named Thomas Holt in 1965. The next year, they had a son named Oliver Holt. The family lived in a small house in Cheshire. Eileen enjoys listening to opera and reading books. She also likes going to concerts. She often took holidays in Vienna and Venice. Thomas Holt passed away in February 2021.

Eileen is known for being a very private person. She rarely attended award shows with her co-stars. She also did not appear in many publicity videos for Coronation Street. She only appeared on screen as herself a couple of times. In 1988, she gave an interview for a tribute to her friend Margot Bryant. Margot played Minnie Caldwell on the show. In 2005, Eileen gave an interview for a program for deaf viewers. She talked about working with deaf actor Ali Briggs. Ali played Emily's niece, Freda Burgess.

Eileen also appeared with the Coronation Street cast on the show This Is Your Life. These appearances were for other actors like Patricia Phoenix and William Roache. Her son, Oliver, says she is not shy. He says she is just a private person. He believes she is an old-fashioned actress. She acts because she loves it, not for fame.

Eileen has three grandchildren. She is also the godmother to three of William Roache's children. She is also godmother to Barbara Knox's daughter, Maxine.

Eileen left Coronation Street in December 2015 for personal reasons. Her last episode aired on January 1, 2016. It was called a break from the show. She made a short return in October 2019. This was for Ken Barlow's 80th birthday on the show. She appeared on a video call.

Awards and Honours

Eileen Derbyshire received an award called a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). She was given this honour in 2010. It was for her amazing contributions to drama and acting.