SHEILA HANCOCK

'Sheila Hancock' OBE (born 22 February, 1933) is an English actress and comedian.
Born on the Isle of Wight, the daugher of a Publican, she attended Dartford County Grammar School and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. She then joined Joan Littlewood's Theatre Workshop, and has since appeared in over 40 films, mostly television releases. Big-screen roles include ''Carry On Cleo'' (1964), Buster (1988) and ''Three Men and a Little Lady''. In 1978 she appeared on the West End stage as Miss Hannigan in the original london cast of Annie the Musical. (1990). Since October 2006, she has been playing the role of Fraulein Schneider in the West End revival of the musical ''Cabaret'' at the Lyric Theatre. In 2007, she won an Olivier, as "Best Performance in a Supporting Role In A Musical" for the part.
Television series she has participated in include ''Have I Got News For You'', ''Room 101'', ''Doctor Who'', Call My Bluff and ''EastEnders'' where she played Barbara Owen. In 2006 she played the character of Junie Taylor, who was the sister of the well-known character Joannie "Nan" Taylor, from ''The Catherine Tate Show''. Sheila has just appeared on The Paul O'Grady Show. On radio, she has also made numerous appearances on ''Just a Minute'' from the 1960s onwards.
Hancock was nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role in 2002, for her role in ''The Russian Bride''; and again in 2003 for her role in the TV series ''Bedtime''.
Hancock was married to actor Alec Ross from 1954 until his death from cancer in 1971. They had one daughter, Melanie Thaw, born in 1964.
In 1973 Hancock married actor John Thaw, 9 years her junior. He adopted Melanie, and they had another daughter, Joanna Thaw, in 1974. Both daughters have become actresses.
John Thaw died of cancer in 2002. Hancock is herself a long-term survivor of breast cancer.
During her middle-aged years Hancock joined the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). She is a patron of the London HIV charity, The Food Chain.
Her 2004 book, '' is a dual biography, which gives accounts of both their lives, as well as focusing on their 28 year marriage.
On May 16, 2007, Sheila Hancock OBE was appointed chancellor of the University of Portsmouth^[1].
Sheila was a regular contributor on BBC2's third season of ' Grumpy Old Women '.

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★ Sheila Hancock on ''Who Do You Think You Are?''