Kay Purcell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kay Purcell
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Purcell as Gina Conway in Tracy Beaker Returns
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| Born | 6 December 1963 Leyland, Lancashire, England
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| Died | 23 December 2020 (aged 57) Lancashire, England
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| 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.
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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.
- The Winter's Tale (1993, as Paulina, Dorcas)
- Everybody Knows All Birds Have Wings (1997)
- Hormonal Housewives (2012)
- Rapunzel (2013, as Gothel the Enchantress)
- Sleeping Beauty (2014, as Carabosse)
