Doctor Who and Mind Your Language star Pik-Sen Lim dies aged 80
Born in British Malaya in 1944, Lim migrated to Britain when she was just 16 to pursue an acting career.
Her first screen credit came a few years later when, in 1964, she played a nurse in the hospital drama Emergency Ward 10.
It was on the set of this show that she also met scriptwriter Don Houghton, whom she married in 1968 and went on to have daughter Sara Houghton, also an actress, with.
In 1971 Lim played Chin Lee in the Doctor Who serial The Mind of Evil, which was written by her husband.
Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro's TV Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we'll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you.
The actress also went on to appear in the first three seasons of the sitcom Mind Your Language.
However, it's now been announced that the actress died earlier this month.
Paying tribute to Lim, actor Daniel York Loh wrote on Instagram: 'An iconic figure in so many ways, I'd seen her on TV in Mind Your Language amongst other things when I was a kid…
'She was so affectionate, so witty, so brilliantly scabrous and absolutely honest about the rubbish this industry deals actors of our heritage – unlike a fair few others who actually try and cape it.
'We'll miss you so much but thank you, Pixi, for blessing our lives with your unique presence.'
Meanwhile director Barnaby Edwards shared: 'My abiding memory of Pik-Sen 'Call me Pixie' Lim is of the utter delight she inspired in those of us lucky enough to work with her.
'She was acting alongside her daughter, Sara, and their relationship was a joy to behold: Sara was the responsible adult; Pixie, the naughty child.
'And nowhere was this mischief more in evidence than during the wildtrack session at the end of the day.' More Trending
Other notable roles throughout Lim's career came in Albion Market, Night and Day, Arabian Nights, The Bill, Little Britain, This Way Up and Vampire Academy.
She also played the killer cleaner in the 2011 film Johnny English Reborn, while her last screen credit came in an episode of the American science fiction drama The Nevers in 2023.
Lim was also known for being the narrator of the Dark Souls video game series.
View More »
According to the British Film Institute, Lim was 'the most familiar Chinese actor on British television screens in the 1970s and 80s.'
Got a story?
If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.
MORE: TV chef Anne Burrell who 'touched millions across the world' dies aged 55
MORE: 'Devastated' Ariana Grande announces the death of beloved family member
MORE: Kim Woodburn's heartfelt message to fans in final video before her death
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
2 hours ago
- Metro
I walked in on a porn film being made in my living room — do I move out?
Hearing other people have sex is just one of the perils that come with house sharing. But this Metro reader hasn't just heard some muffled sounds from beyond an adjoining wall — he walked into what looked like a full-blown porn movie being filmed in his living room. The most awkward part? He's living with his older brother and his girlfriend. And after accidentally stumbling across the scene, which he thinks was for an X-rated site, he can no longer look them in the eye. Read the advice below, but before you go, don't forget to read last week's Sex Column, about a woman who discovered her husband has a secret child. I'm a 17-year-old lad, currently stressing over something my friends find funny, but I find pretty gross. Basically, I recently walked in on my brother having sex with his girlfriend — it wasn't just ordinary sex either, it was more like something you'd see in a porn movie, and they were actually filming it. I quickly shut the door but he came after me and we had this ridiculous argument, with him standing there naked. Until a few months ago I lived with my parents, but my mum was driving me mad and we ended up having a huge row. That's how I come to be living with my brother (32, by our dad's first marriage) and his partner, who I normally get on great with. On the night in question, I was meant to be staying with friends, but due to a mix-up there was no bed for me and I came home. Obviously, my brother thought he had the place to himself, so when I walked into the living room, I got the shock of my life. I think he and his girlfriend did too. He asked me why the hell I went in when I could hear something was going on, but I was listening to music through my earbuds! X Factor icon Diana Vickers and Metro's dating expert Alice Giddings dive into your wildest sex, love, and dating dilemmas – every Tuesday. Listen wherever you get your podcasts or watch on YouTube. And be sure to follow and subscribe so you never miss an episode. You can also join the fun on our WhatsApp Group Chat here – share your dilemmas and Diana and Alice may just give you a call. My brother said that he and his girlfriend like watching their home movies back but they don't post on any websites for others to watch. He obviously only said that to make me feel better, and it hasn't made a huge difference. I used to really like it here, but now I feel so awkward I can hardly look at them. I can see that you have really taken this to heart, but truthfully, I'm struggling to see what the problem is. Your brother and his girlfriend thought they were alone, had wild sex and filmed it for their own entertainment. What have they done wrong? Maybe you have always looked up to him and what he's done has damaged your perfect view of him. I'm guessing that sex doesn't play a full part in your life at the moment, and that's why this has hit you so hard. He's older and more experienced, and what he's done is no different to what many other people do – and you may do too, when you reach that stage in life. You've already fallen out with your mother, so don't let this cause a rift between you and your brother too. Look on it this way – it's great that he and his partner are happy, loving and sexually adventurous, because that's what makes them the people they are and why you liked living with them. They probably feel as mortified as you over the whole incident. More Trending Try to be more understanding and accept that what you saw was just a private moment that you were never meant to share. Your friends are right to see it as no big deal. Have another chat with your brother and just acknowledge this episode for what it is – an embarrassing moment, which you'll all move on from in the fullness of time. Laura is a counsellor and columnist. View More » Got a sex and dating dilemma? To get expert advice, send your problem to Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: I called my bride my ex's name at the altar — people are telling her to divorce me MORE: I'm having the best sex of my life since my husband's gay affair MORE: What is AI psychosis? The rise in people thinking chatbots are real or godlike
Metro
3 hours ago
- Metro
Strictly Come Dancing winner ‘revealed' before the show even begins
The winner of Strictly Come Dancing has been predicted following the full lineup reveal. The BBC dancing competition hosted by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman is back for another year of emotional journeys and stunning dance routines. In recent years, the reality series has been plagued by controversies. Two former professionals on the show in Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima were removed from the (and replaced) after behavioural accusations from former partners were revealed. The recent addition of Thomas Skinner to the cast has also been widely criticised. Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro's TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we'll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. Now, however, according to Ladbrokes, there is a clear favourite to win the Glitterball Trophy. Trailblazer Ellie Goldstein is currently leading the way to win the entire show. The model and actress is just 3/1 to win the final, having entered as an 8/1 shot on Wednesday. She is just ahead of YouTuber George Clarke, who is at 5/1 odds. Ellie Goldstein – 3/1George Clarke – 5/1Dani Dyer – 6/1Vicky Pattison – 7/1Harry Aikines-Aryeetey – 8/1Thomas Skinner – 10/1Karen Carney – 12/1La Voix – 14/1Alex Kingston – 16/1Balvinder Sopal – 16/1Chris Robshaw – 16/1Kristian Nairn – 20/1Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink – 25/1Ross King – 33/1 Stefan Dennis – 33/1 Meanwhile, TV personality Dani Dyer is closely following behind after she was given 6/1 odds. Another big mover is The Apprentice star Thomas Skinner, who has been backed into 10/1 from 25/1. Propping up the market at 33/1 are Neighbours icon Stefan Dennis and entertainment reporter Ross King. Cal Gildart of Ladbrokes said: 'With every contestant confirmed, punters have been making their favourites known. Ellie Goldstein has waltzed her way to the head of the betting, but it's tight at the top.' This comes after beloved pro Gorka Marquez confirmed he would not be competing this year. The Spanish dancer, 34, has been competing in the BBC show since 2016 and has been a fan favourite who placed as runner up on three separate occasions. More Trending Gorka was forced to break a few hearts on social media as he announced to fans that a new gig would clash with Strictly this year. 'I am Happy to announce that I will be back for season two of BAILANDO CON LAS ESTRELLAS as a judge from September. 'Due to the filming dates, this means that I won't be competing with a partner this year in Strictly.' View More » Strictly Come Dancing will be available to watch on BBC. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: One of UK's 'most beautiful' beaches shut off to sunseekers over safety concerns MORE: From a torn vulva to an accidental C-section – the most painful reality TV injuries ever MORE: Disturbing horror that left fans 'too scared to sleep' now streaming for free
Telegraph
3 hours ago
- Telegraph
Jodie Whittaker is far too good for this contrived Aussie thriller
You'd be forgiven for thinking you've seen something like this before, as the Australia-set thrillers have been coming to our screens thick and fast recently (see also The Last Anniversary, The Secrets She Keeps, Apples Never Fall). This one, which had a brief showing on Paramount+ in 2023 but is now on ITV1, stars former Doctor Who lead Jodie Whittaker. Sadly it's so lacklustre that Whittaker might wish that she'd opted to eat kangaroo genitalia on I'm a Celebrity with Ant and Dec instead. Since hanging up her sonic screwdriver, Whittaker has spread her wings in eclectic roles. She played an imprisoned single mother in gut-punch BBC drama Time and was the standout star of Netflix's factual drama Toxic Town. Here she loses her native Yorkshire tones to adopt an Australian accent. I'm no expert in Antipodean linguistics, but she does a decent job. Set on the stunning New South Wales coast, One Night follows three women – Tess (Whittaker), Simone (Nicole da Silva) and Hat (Yael Stone) – who remain haunted by a harrowing event during their teens. Twenty years later, Simone writes a thinly disguised novel about that fateful night. It reopens wounds in cathartic ways. There's the germ of an interesting drama here about trauma and truth, justice and healing. But whenever it looks about to emerge, it gets bogged down in repetitive flashbacks or clichéd contrivances. Supporting characters are uniformly ghastly – either leering small-town gangsters, spoilt kids or self-serving adults. Worst of all, there's a fatal flaw at the heart of the story. Simone stole Tess's tragedy for her own gain, yet we're supposed to sympathise as she makes her friend's pain all about her. Stretched out over six episodes, One Night moves with all the urgency of an asthmatic koala. With its ocean views and high-flying female friends, it's a try-hard Sydney spin on Big Little Lies. Whittaker is rawly convincing as a sexual assault victim whose repressed memories come bubbling to the surface. Tess is a mass of body issues: bulimic, covered in tattoos, prone to pulling her hair out. There's a wordless scene in the finale where Whittaker acts her socks off with facial expressions alone. It's just a shame the script isn't in the same league as her performance. One Night is available now on ITVX and begins on ITV1 on Saturday 16 August at 9.30pm
