Pauline Collins, the award-winning actress best known for her unforgettable portrayal of Shirley Valentine has died in London aged 85.
Though born in Exmouth, Devon, Collins grew up in Wallasey and often spoke with affection of her Wirral upbringing, which shaped her down-to-earth outlook and natural warmth—qualities that shone through in a career spanning more than six decades.
After training at the Central School of Speech and Drama, she began as a teacher before turning to acting in the early 1960s.
Her early television work included Emergency Ward 10 (1960), as well as the pilot and first series of the Liverpool-set The Liver Birds in 1969. She became even more well-known portraying the maid Sarah Moffat in Upstairs, Downstairs (1971–73).
But it was her performance in Willy Russell’s Shirley Valentine that defined her career and became part of Liverpool’s cultural identity. First on stage and then in the 1989 film, Collins captured the heart of a generation with her portrayal of a witty, wistful Liverpool housewife rediscovering her independence. The role won her Olivier, Tony, BAFTA and Golden Globe awards, and an Oscar nomination.
Collins later starred in Forever Green, The Ambassador, and films including Quartet and Mrs Caldicot’s Cabbage War. She was appointed OBE in 2001 for services to drama.
Collins died from Parkinson’s disease in London at the age of 85.
Image credit: Eva Rinaldi – Pauline Collins, CC BY-SA 2.0,
Why not follow Birkenhead News on Facebook, Bluesky, WhatsApp, Twitter, and Threads. You can also send story ideas or letters to the editor to news@birkenhead.news