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Su Pollard

Susan Georgina Pollard (born 7 November 1949) is an English , singer, , and whose career has spanned over five decades, most notably for her role as the clumsy chaletmaid Peggy Ollerenshaw in the Hi-de-Hi! (1980–1988), which regularly attracted over 15 million viewers per episode and established her as a household name in . Born in to parents Don and Hilda Pollard, she developed an early interest in performing, making her stage debut at age six in a school and later training through an apprenticeship at the Nottingham Arts Theatre while working as a secretary for the Co-operative. Her television breakthrough came in 1974 with a second-place finish on the Opportunity Knocks, leading to guest spots and her iconic Hi-de-Hi! portrayal, which earned her the honour of her own episode of This Is Your Life in 1989. Pollard's subsequent television roles included the scatterbrained maid Ivy Teasdale in You Rang, M'Lord? (1988–1993) and the stationmaster's wife Ethel Schumann in Oh, Doctor Beeching! (1995–1997), both and David Croft productions that capitalized on her and style. In theatre, she has starred in West End productions such as (as Sally Smith), (as Audrey), (as Miss Hannigan), and (as Ruth), alongside extensive work that has kept her a staple in British live entertainment. As a recording artist, Pollard achieved mainstream success with her 1986 single "Starting Together," which peaked at number two on the and became the theme for the dating show Blind Date, while her self-titled debut album was certified silver by the . She has also ventured into authorship with a and continues to perform, including her one-woman show Su Pollard: Still Fully Charged, which toured in 2025 to celebrate 50 years in show business, alongside appearances on like Celebrity MasterChef.

Early life

Family background and childhood

Susan Georgina Pollard was born on 7 November 1949 in , . She was the eldest daughter of Don and Hilda Pollard, growing up in a working-class household alongside her younger sister Jean, who was born seven years later. Her father initially worked as a bakery driver before spending about 40 years employed at Player's cigarette factory, while her mother worked part-time at the same factory. Pollard's childhood in was marked by a strong family , with her parents instilling values of financial prudence and despite modest means. Her early interest in emerged at the age of six, when she portrayed an angel in a and accidentally fell through a prop box lid, prompting from the that ignited her passion for and . This formative experience, combined with mimicry of family members and neighbors, highlighted her natural flair for entertainment from a young age. The local working-class environment of provided Pollard's initial exposure to through community events and nearby venues, fostering her budding talents in a supportive yet unpretentious setting.

Education and early employment

Pollard attended Berridge Road School in Hyson Green and Peveril Bilateral School on Robin's Wood Road in , where she developed an early interest in through school activities. She left at the age of 16 without pursuing further formal . Following her departure from education, Pollard took up employment as a shorthand typist at the Tennant Rubber Company in Carlton, Nottinghamshire, earning £4 per week from which she contributed £3 to her household. This office role provided financial stability while she began exploring her creative inclinations outside of work. In parallel with her day job, Pollard completed an apprenticeship at the Co-operative Arts Theatre (now known as Nottingham Arts Theatre), where she participated in productions and charity shows. She also began performing locally, singing in 's working men's clubs to build experience and confidence. These grassroots endeavors marked her entry into the scene before any professional engagements.

Professional career

Television

Su Pollard made her television debut in 1974 on the talent competition Opportunity Knocks, where she performed a rendition of "I Can't Say No" from the musical Oklahoma! and finished in second place behind a singing dog act. This appearance marked her entry into national visibility, building on her early experience performing in local clubs and theatre. Pollard's breakthrough came with her role as Peggy Ollerenshaw in the sitcom Hi-de-Hi!, which aired from 1980 to 1988 across eight series and a pilot, totaling 58 episodes. In the series, set at the fictional Maplins Holiday Camp during the late and , she portrayed the eager but clumsy chambermaid who repeatedly aspired to become a glamorous Yellowcoat entertainer, often clashing with her strict supervisor Miss Cathcart. The character's wide-eyed innocence and , including her signature eye-rolling expressions, endeared her to audiences and helped cement Pollard's reputation for portraying hapless yet resilient working-class women. Following Hi-de-Hi!, Pollard reunited with several co-stars in another David Croft-Jimmy Perry sitcom, You Rang, M'Lord?, which ran from 1990 to 1993 and comprised 26 episodes including a pilot. She played Ivy Teasdale, the naive housemaid in a aristocratic household, whose bungled attempts at domestic duties and romantic entanglements provided much of the show's . The series' extended 50-minute format allowed for more elaborate plots, showcasing Pollard's timing in ensemble scenes with actors like and Jeffrey Holland. In 1995, Pollard took on the role of Ethel Schumann in Oh, Doctor Beeching!, a that aired until 1997 and consisted of 20 episodes over two series. Set at a rural railway station facing closure in the , she depicted a booking whose optimistic meddling in colleagues' lives added levity amid the threat of redundancy. This role continued her collaboration with Croft and Perry, reinforcing her association with period comedies centered on institutions. Pollard appeared in smaller television roles, including as a guest in the 1988 children's series Yellowbacks and as Ivy in the 2011 ITV miniseries The Last Song. More recently, she competed as a contestant on Celebrity MasterChef in 2021, reaching the semi-finals with dishes that highlighted her enthusiastic but unpredictable approach to cooking. In 2024, she returned to the show as a guest judge, offering feedback on contestants' creations. That same year, she participated in the BBC Two documentary series Pilgrimage: The Road Through Portugal, joining a group of celebrities on a 364 km journey to the Fátima shrine, reflecting on faith and personal challenges. Through these sitcom roles and varied appearances, Pollard's television career established her as a enduring figure in , known for her portrayals of endearingly daft characters that captured the humor of everyday life in post-war settings. Her work in long-running series like Hi-de-Hi! and its successors not only showcased her comedic versatility but also contributed to the popularity of the Croft-Perry formula, blending with to attract generations of viewers.

Theatre

Su Pollard's theatre career spans over five decades, encompassing more than 35 stage plays and musicals as well as participation in over 40 pantomimes, showcasing her transition from early repertory work to prominent West End roles and national tours following her television success in the 1980s. Her professional stage debut came in the 1970s with musical productions such as The Desert Song and Rose Marie alongside John Hanson, but it was after her breakthrough as Peggy Ollerenshaw in the BBC sitcom Hi-de-Hi! that she secured high-profile theatre bookings, including West End appearances and extensive touring productions. Notable among her stage credits are roles in Godspell at the West End under Cameron Mackintosh, Me and My Girl at the Adelphi Theatre where she played Sally for over a year, and the title role in Sweet Charity on national tour. She also starred as Bunny Byron opposite Matthew Kelly in Babes in Arms, appeared in Grease with Tracey Ullman, and took on comedic parts in plays like Not Now, Darling alongside Tim Brooke-Taylor and Hugh Paddick, as well as Steaming at the Millgate Arts Centre in 2009. Pollard's pantomime work forms a cornerstone of her live performance legacy, with appearances in classic tales across major UK venues since the mid-1970s, often in principal comic or villainous roles that highlight her improvisational flair. Examples include Aladdin at the Palace Theatre (1984–85) and the Alhambra Theatre Bradford (1987–88), Cinderella as the Wicked Stepmother at the Grand Theatre Swansea (2008–09), and Dick Whittington in multiple productions such as at the Bristol Hippodrome (1989–90) and Churchill Theatre Bromley (1999–00). Her enduring commitment to the genre is evident in recent and upcoming engagements, including Snow White as the Wicked Queen at the Sunderland Empire (2021–22) and Beauty and the Beast as Mrs. Potts alongside Samantha Womack at the Churchill Theatre Bromley from December 2025 to January 2026. Throughout her stage career, Pollard has been celebrated for her energetic and comedic presence, delivering whirlwind performances that blend , vocal prowess, and audience interaction to create joyful, nostalgic experiences. Critics and audiences alike praise her as a quintessential all-round whose longevity in live —marked by sold-out tours like her 2024–25 one-woman show Still Fully Charged—demonstrates resilience and versatility in an industry spanning musicals, revues, and family-oriented pantomimes. This sustained career underscores her ability to captivate generations through interactive, high-spirited live performances that contrast the scripted nature of her work.

Film

Su Pollard's contributions to feature films have been limited, primarily consisting of comedic supporting roles that echo her eccentric television persona. In 1992, Pollard appeared in the final installment of the long-running Carry On comedy series, Carry On Columbus, taking on the role of Meg, a bumbling tavern wench whose physical comedy and hapless demeanor provided light relief amid the film's satirical take on historical adventure. Though her part was relatively small, it extended her slapstick style from stage and screen to the big screen, appealing to fans of the franchise's tradition of British farce. Pollard revisited cinema in 1999 with a supporting appearance in the feature-length TV film Nancherrow, a period drama where her character added humorous domestic touches to the narrative of family intrigue and romance set in . Overall, while these roles allowed her to branch into , they remained secondary to her extensive work in and , serving more as extensions of her established comedic timing rather than leading vehicles.

Music

Su Pollard's recording career launched in the mid-1980s, capitalizing on her rising fame to enter the music charts. Her debut single, "Come to Me (I Am Woman)", a cover of the B.A. Robertson and track, was released in October 1985 and peaked at number 71 on the , spending five weeks in the listings. In January 1986, Pollard released "Starting Together", which became her signature hit and highest-charting release, reaching number 2 on the and remaining on the chart for 12 weeks; the single was certified silver by the . Written by Bill Buckley, the upbeat pop song served as the theme tune for the documentary series The Marriage, blending Pollard's vocal style with a motivational message about marital commitment. Later that year, she issued a of "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling" alongside The Undertakers, though it failed to chart significantly. Pollard's sole charting album, , arrived in December 1986 via K-Tel Records, peaking at number 86 on the after three weeks. The 12-track collection featured a mix of covers and contemporary pop, including "Sing in the Night" and renditions of standards like "Band of Gold" and "Alright, OK, You Win", showcasing her versatile, cabaret-inflected singing voice. In 1987, she released the non-charting single "Sing in the Night" from the album. After the 1980s, Pollard's studio output diminished, with no further charting releases, though she contributed vocals to cast recordings such as the 2007 production where she played . She has maintained an active presence as a live performer, incorporating songs into roles and solo tours, including musical segments in pantomimes and her 2025 50-year career celebration show featuring selections from her discography.

Personal life

Relationships

Su Pollard married Peter Keogh, an actor and teacher in the entertainment industry, in 1984. The couple divorced in 1992 after eight years of marriage, with no children from the union. No other long-term romantic relationships have been publicly detailed by Pollard. In a 2021 interview, she stated she was content dating casually at age 71 and had no intention of marrying again. In a 2025 interview, Pollard shared an anecdote about lending £50,000 to a friend without recovering it, describing the experience as a cautionary lesson on the risks of mixing money with personal trust. Following her divorce, Pollard channeled her energy into advancing her professional career in and .

Interests and affiliations

Su Pollard has been a lifelong supporter of , the football club based in her hometown, often publicly expressing her enthusiasm for the team through media appearances and interviews. In recent years, she has voiced particular support for the club's official LGBTQ+ supporters' group, highlighting her alignment with inclusive fan communities. This fandom reflects her enduring ties to , where she grew up and developed a strong sense of local loyalty from an early age. Pollard has engaged in charitable activities throughout her career, particularly those connected to the entertainment industry and community causes. She has participated in fundraising efforts, such as supporting the restoration of historic venues like Lauderdale House in through public endorsements and events. Additionally, she contributes regularly to charities, including provisions in her will for such organizations. In 1988, Pollard was awarded by the Men's and Boys' Wear exhibition, a lighthearted honor that celebrated her bubbly, flamboyant persona and contributed to her public image as a cheerful, larger-than-life . This recognition, while humorous, underscored her comfort with playful aspects of celebrity culture. Her roots continue to foster community affiliations, as she maintains connections to local scenes and credits the city's vibrant club culture for shaping her early career and personal interests.

References

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