Judy Valerie Cornwell (born 22 February 1940) is an English actress. She is best known for her role as Daisy in the British sitcom Keeping Up Appearances (1990–1995). She also played Anya Claus in (1985). In her later years she became known for playing Miss Marple in many stage productions, including A Murder is Announced between 2015 and 2016.[ "Keeping Up Appearances star reveals she will retire from touring after Miss Marple". The Argus (22 April 2016). Retrieved 1 June 2024.]
Biography
Cornwell's father served in the
RAF and she grew up in Britain, where she attended a convent school, with
Penelope Keith. She later attended Saint Michael Boarding school in
Heacham, Norfolk, before moving to Australia with her family. She has written about her childhood experiences in her autobiography
Adventures of a Jelly Baby. She later returned to Britain and became a professional dancer and comedian in her teens, working her act between the nudes at Dhurjati Chaudhury's Irving Theatre Club, on Irving Street, off Leicester Square, London,
before becoming an actress. Her career includes roles in radio's
The Navy Lark, the play
Oh! What A Lovely War,
her own TV comedy series
Moody and Pegg,
[ and a season with the Royal Shakespeare Company.
]
Films and television
Cornwell's film roles include (as Anya Claus) and Mad Cows. On television she has appeared in Dixon of Dock Green, Cakes and Ale, Bergerac, Doctor Who (the serial Paradise Towers), several episodes of Farrington of the F.O., The Famous Five, The Bill, Heartbeat, The Royal, Miss Marple, Midsomer Murders and The Devil's Lieutenant. Cornwell also appeared in BBC soap opera EastEnders as Queenie Trott, the mean tyrant mother of lovable loser Heather Trott. In 1987, she appeared as the English spinster Rosemary Tuttle in the episode "Rumpole and the Official Secret" from Season 4 of Rumpole of the Bailey.
Cornwell is best known, however, for her portrayal of lovable working-class housewife Daisy in the sitcom Keeping Up Appearances, which ran for five series from 1990 to 1995.
Cornwell also appeared in an episode of Birds of a Feather in 2014.
Published works
Cornwell's books include her autobiography Adventures of a Jelly Baby () published in 2005 which describes her childhood growing up in Britain during the war, and then in Australia where her family emigrated.
Cornwell has also published several novels, including Cow and Cow Parsley in 1985, Fishcakes at the Ritz in 1989, The Seventh Sunrise in 1994, and Fear and Favour in 1996.
Personal life
Cornwell married John Kelsall Parry on 18 December 1960 and they have one son together. The couple resides in Brighton.
Filmography
Film
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Television
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| 1 episode |
| 1 episode |
| 4 episodes |
| 12 episodes |
| 3 episodes |
| Episode: Viktoria |
| 9 episodes |
| Episode: Fairground |
| 2 episodes |
| Season 4 Episode 3 |
| 1 episode |
| TV film |
| 7 episodes |
| 3 episodes: Paradise Towers |
| Episode: Strong Poison |
| Episode: The Memory Man |
| Main role; 44 episodes |
| 3 episodes |
| TV film |
| 1 episode |
| Episode: Five on a Hike Together |
| TV film |
| Episode: Death in Disguise |
| 2 episodes |
| Episode: Shotgun Wedding |
| TV film |
| 8 episodes |
| (archive footage only) |
| Episode: You Can't Always Get What You Want |
| Contestant |
| Documentary |
External links
