Pat Phoenix facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Pat Phoenix
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Phoenix in the 1960s
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| Born |
Patricia Frederica Manfield
26 November 1923 Fallowfield, Manchester, England
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| Died | 17 September 1986 (aged 62) Cheadle, Greater Manchester, England
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| Other names | Patricia Pilkington |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1948–1986 |
| Spouse(s) |
Peter Marsh
(m. 1953; div. 1961)Alan Browning
(m. 1972; died 1979) |
Patricia Phoenix (born Patricia Frederica Manfield; 26 November 1923 – 17 September 1986) was a famous English actress. She became one of the first big stars of British television. She was best known for playing Elsie Tanner in the TV show Coronation Street. Pat Phoenix was part of the show from its very first episode in 1960 until she left in 1984.
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Early Life of Pat Phoenix
Pat Phoenix was born in Fallowfield, Manchester, England. Her mother, Annie, was from Ireland. Her father was named Thomas Manfield. When Pat was eight years old, her family went through a difficult time. She later said this period felt like a "nightmare." Her mother later married Richard Pilkington.
Pat went to Fallowfield Central School. From a young age, she dreamed of becoming an actress. When she was 11, she appeared on the radio show Children's Hour. After school, she worked as a filing clerk for the city's electricity department. In her free time, she acted in amateur plays. She also joined theatre groups in Manchester and other parts of Northern England.
Pat Phoenix's Acting Career
Pat Phoenix got her first big acting chance in 1948. She played a role in the film Cup-tie Honeymoon. After this, she performed in a summer show in Blackpool. This led to more serious acting work with the Theatre Workshop in London. She also wrote jokes for other performers. She appeared in a few more films, like Blood of the Vampire (1958) and Jack the Ripper (1959). By 1960, she returned to Manchester.
Her luck changed when she got the role of Elsie Tanner in Coronation Street. Elsie was a lively character who lived at No. 11. Pat changed her last name to Phoenix, like the mythological bird that rises from ashes. She was on the show from 1960 to 1973, and then again from 1976 to 1984. Her character, Elsie, was known for her bright red hair. Even the Prime Minister, James Callaghan, once called her "the ... thing on television." Pat left Coronation Street for the last time in January 1984. Her character moved to Portugal in the story.
In 1972, Pat Phoenix was featured on the TV show This Is Your Life. She was surprised by the host while on the set of Coronation Street. After leaving the show, she appeared in a TV play called Hidden Talents in 1986. In this play, she acted as a woman who was very ill. That same year, she also starred in a short TV comedy called Constant Hot Water. She played a landlady in this show. In 1985, the singer Morrissey interviewed her for a magazine. She also appeared on the cover of one of his band's songs.
Pat Phoenix's Personal Life
Pat Phoenix was married three times. Her first husband was actor Peter Marsh. They married in 1953 and later divorced in 1961. On 23 December 1972, she married Alan Browning, who was also an actor on Coronation Street. He passed away in September 1979. Later, she married actor Anthony Booth. He was the father-in-law of Tony Blair, who later became Prime Minister.
Pat Phoenix wrote two books about her life. They were called All My Burning Bridges (1974) and Love, Curiosity, Freckles and Doubt (1983). She was a Catholic and always supported the Labour Party. She helped campaign for Tony Blair in the 1983 election when he was running to become a Member of Parliament. She also campaigned with Anthony Booth for another politician, Tony Benn. Pat Phoenix also owned a pub called the Navigation Inn in Buxworth, Derbyshire.
Illness and Death
In March 1986, Pat Phoenix was diagnosed with lung cancer. She continued to work after her diagnosis and kept her illness private from most people. In the summer of 1986, her health got worse. This led to more medical treatment. It was later shared that she had only a few weeks to live.
Pat Phoenix married Anthony Booth at the Alexandra Hospital (Cheadle) on 9 September 1986. This event received a lot of attention from the media. Eight days later, on 17 September 1986, she passed away in her sleep at the age of 62. For her funeral service, she asked for a large brass band. Her wish was for the event to be as lively as her life had been. Among those who attended her funeral were Anthony Booth's daughter, Cherie Blair, and her husband, Tony Blair.
Pat Phoenix's Legacy
Since her death, several actresses have played Pat Phoenix in TV shows and plays about her life. These actresses include Kym Marsh, Denise Black, Debbie Rush, Sue Johnston, Lynda Rooke, Jodie Prenger, and Jessie Wallace. Many of them have also appeared in Coronation Street.
In 2000, as part of Coronation Street's 40th anniversary, special blue plaques were put up. These plaques honored four of the show's stars, including Pat Phoenix. The plaques were placed outside the Granada Studios, where much of Coronation Street was filmed. The other stars honored were Doris Speed, Bryan Mosley, and Violet Carson.
Images for kids
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Pat Phoenix in the 1960s
See also
In Spanish: Pat Phoenix para niños
