Shirley Stelfox facts for kids

Shirley Rosemary Stelfox (born 11 April 1941 – died 7 December 2015) was a talented English actress. She was well-known for playing the character Edna Birch in the TV show Emmerdale. Edna was a strong-willed and sometimes nosey person. Shirley Stelfox also played Rose, the lively sister of Hyacinth Bucket, in the first season of the comedy series Keeping Up Appearances.

Early Life and Education

Shirley Stelfox was born in Dukinfield, Cheshire, England, on 11 April 1941. She had a condition called amblyopia, which meant she was very short-sighted.

Shirley loved acting and studied at the famous RADA. Some of her classmates there became well-known actors too, like Edward Fox and John Thaw. Even before RADA, she performed in plays and pantomimes in her hometown.

Shirley Stelfox's Acting Career

Shirley Stelfox had a long and successful career in television, film, and theatre. She started acting professionally in 1954 and continued until her death in 2015.

Television Roles

After finishing her studies at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, Shirley Stelfox quickly began her television career. Her first role was in a BBC play called The Case Before You, where she played a 15-year-old character.

She appeared in many popular British TV shows. One of her earliest roles was in Coronation Street in December 1960. She played several different characters in this famous soap opera over the years.

In 1983, Shirley Stelfox was in an episode of Grange Hill, playing a school secretary. She was also the first actress to play the character Rose in Keeping Up Appearances. Rose was known for her fun and sometimes wild personality. Later, another actress, Mary Millar, took over the role.

Shirley Stelfox also had roles in other well-known series such as Heartbeat, The Bill, and Inspector Morse. She appeared in EastEnders as Jane Healy, the mother of Melanie Owen. She also had parts in other soap operas like Crossroads, Brookside, and Family Affairs.

Her most famous role was as Edna Birch in Emmerdale. She played Edna from 2000 until 2015, appearing in over 900 episodes. Edna was a memorable character known for her strong opinions and love for her dog, Tootsie.

Film Appearances

Shirley Stelfox also acted in several films. In the 1994 TV film Pat and Margaret, she played the mother of characters played by famous actresses Julie Walters and Victoria Wood.

Stage Performances

Shirley Stelfox enjoyed performing in plays on stage. In London's West End, she appeared in Not Now, Darling in 1968 and Toad of Toad Hall in 1970.

She took on challenging roles in classic plays, including Regan in King Lear and Lady Macbeth in Macbeth. She also played Titania in A Midsummer Night's Dream and Yelena in Uncle Vanya.

Personal Life

Shirley Stelfox was married twice. Her first marriage was to Keith Edmundson, and they had a daughter named Helena.

Later, in 1979, she married actor Don Henderson. They were together until Don's death in 1997. Shirley helped raise Don's two children from his previous marriage. After Don passed away, she moved to the countryside in Nottinghamshire.

Shirley Stelfox died on 7 December 2015, at the age of 74. She had been diagnosed with cancer just a few weeks before.

Filmography

See also

In Spanish: Shirley Stelfox para niños