Anne Reid

Rosebud with Gyles Brandreth

Joining Gyles this week is is one of Britain's best loved actresses, Anne Reid. Anne's long career began when a teacher at school persuaded her to apply for RADA at only 16, and after a stint in weekly rep and appearances on The Benny Hill Show and Hancock's Half Hour, she became a household name as Valerie Barlow in Coronation Street in the 60s, and then as a regular performer with Victoria Wood in the 80s. But it is arguably in later life that Anne has had the most notable, and interesting, roles in series like Last Tango In Halifax, Years and Years and The Sixth Commandment, as well as in the feature film The Mother with Daniel Craig. Anne tells Gyles about her childhood, growing up in the north-east during the war, about bombing raids and ballet classes. She talks about her parents' move to India, and delights Gyles with a story of an amazing trip she took to Delhi during her school holidays. She talks about her marriage to the producer Peter Eckersley, who sadly died in 1981, and her life since then. Thank you, Anne, for sharing your wonderful stories.

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