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Kay Purcell
Kay Purcell.jpg
Purcell as Gina Conway in Tracy Beaker Returns
Born (1963-12-06)6 December 1963
Died 23 December 2020(2020-12-23) (aged 57)
Lancashire, England
Occupation Actress
Years active 1993–2020
Television Emmerdale
Waterloo Road
Tracy Beaker Returns
The Dumping Ground
So Awkward
Children 3

Kay Purcell (born 6 December 1963 – died 23 December 2020) was a talented English actress. She was well-known for her roles in popular TV shows. Many young viewers will remember her as Gina Conway in the CBBC children's drama series Tracy Beaker Returns and its spin-off The Dumping Ground. She also played Mrs. Rennison in the CBBC sitcom So Awkward. Older audiences might know her from Emmerdale as Cynthia Daggert and Waterloo Road as Candice Smilie.

Kay Purcell's Acting Journey

Kay Purcell started her acting career in 1995. Her very first TV role was as a reporter in the series Cracker. She then appeared in other well-known shows.

Early Roles in TV Shows

In 1997, Kay played Rhona Summers in Coronation Street for three episodes. She also appeared in City Central as Jenny. She had roles in the BBC series Casualty in both 1998 and 2000. In 2000, she played Winsome in the TV series Children's Ward.

Major TV Roles

Kay's first big role was as Cynthia Daggert in Emmerdale. She appeared in 187 episodes of this show from 2001 to 2002. Later, from 2004 to 2005, she played Ms. Savage in Bernard's Watch for 21 episodes.

She became a familiar face to many as Candice Smilie in Waterloo Road. She played this role from 2007 to 2009.

Becoming a Children's TV Star

Kay Purcell was especially loved for her work in children's television. She played Gina Conway in Tracy Beaker Returns for all three series. She continued this role in the first series of the spin-off show, The Dumping Ground. These roles made her a favorite among young viewers. She also starred as Mrs. Rennison in the CBBC sitcom So Awkward from 2015 to 2016.

Kay Purcell's Life and Legacy

Kay Purcell was a strong person who faced health challenges with bravery. She openly shared her experiences to help others.

Health and Passing

In 2017, Kay was diagnosed with breast cancer. She used social media to share her journey. She posted images, videos, and blogs. This helped many people understand what it was like to live with the illness. In 2020, her cancer returned and had spread. Kay Purcell passed away on 23 December 2020, at the age of 57. She is remembered for her talent and her courage.

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1995 Cracker TV Reporter Episode: "True Romance: Part 2"
1996–1998 Emmerdale Carmel Morgan Recurring role; 9 episodes
1997 Coronation Street Rhona Summers 3 episodes
1998 Casualty WDC McCarthy Episode: "Taking Sides"
1999 City Central Jenny Episode: "Paradise Lost"
My Parents Are Aliens Mrs. Williams Episode: "The Home Team"
2000 Casualty Diane Abley Episode: "Fall Out"
Children's Ward Winsome Series 12: Episode 8
2001–2002 Emmerdale Cynthia Daggert Regular role; 187 episodes
2003 Holby City Heather Nixon Episode: "Read My Lips"
2004–2005 Bernard's Watch Ms. Savage Main role; 21 episodes
2005 Messiah Prof Uhomi Episodes: "The Harrowing: Parts 1–3"
Doctors Mrs. Jane Manners 2 episodes
2006 Ideal Alice Episode: "The Delivery"
My Parents Are Aliens Mrs. Brookman 3 episodes
2007–2009 Waterloo Road Candice Smilie Main role; 24 episodes
2010–2012 Tracy Beaker Returns Gina Conway All 39 episodes
2011–2012 Tracy Beaker Survival Files Main role
2012 Hacker Time Herself Episode: "Connor Byrne and Kay Purcell"
2013 The Dumping Ground Gina Conway Main role; 13 episodes
2014–2016 Hacker Time Mrs. Breadbin 13 episodes
2015–2016 So Awkward Mrs. Rennison Main role; 18 episodes
2020 When It Rains Sonia 5 episodes
2021 Doctors Mo Larkin Episode: "Of Mice and Women"; posthumous release

Theatre Performances

Kay Purcell also performed in several theatre productions.

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