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The Guardian
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Pik-Sen Lim obituary
The Malaysian Chinese actor Pik-Sen Lim, who has died of cancer aged 81, was one of the most recognised east Asian faces on British television and, despite being cast in stereotypical roles during her early decades on screen, enjoyed a 60-year career. Her highest-profile part came as the Chinese student Chung Su-Lee learning English at an adult education college in the ITV series Mind Your Language (1977-79). For Lim, taking a leading part in a successful sitcom – which attracted up to 18 million viewers – was a double-edged sword. 'I was forced to say 'flom' instead of 'from' and 'evely' for 'every',' she said. 'It was pretty corny. I had to learn pidgin English.' The programme was broadcast in an era when television sitcom was prone to amplify racial stereotypes. Alongside an Italian chef, Spanish bartender, Greek shipping agency worker, Japanese electronics expert, French au pair, a Sikh, a Muslim and other students of English as a second language, and with Barry Evans starring as Jeremy Brown, their teacher, Su-Lee was the Chinese embassy secretary, a dedicated communist and kung-fu enthusiast, always carrying around Mao Zedong's Little Red Book and quoting his anti-western sentiments. Michael Grade, then an ITV executive, commissioned Mind Your Language, but dropped it after three series, admitting it was racist. 'It was really irresponsible of us to put it out,' he said. Nevertheless, the sitcom was revived by other executives for a further series in 1986, although Lim did not reprise her role and not all ITV regional companies screened it. Soap operas had a much better record of representing members of minority-ethnic communities. Shortly after leaving drama school, Lim had an early opportunity to portray what is believed to be the first Chinese nurse on British television. She joined Emergency – Ward 10 in 1964 as Kwei-Kim Yen, a staff nurse at Oxbridge general hospital, who had a relationship with a doctor and stayed until the final episode in 1967. On leaving the serial, she appeared in the sitcom Sorry I'm Single (1967) as Suzy, a Chinese student from Hong Kong, one of three women living in a bedsit in a converted Hampstead house that was also home to an eternal student played by Derek Nimmo. Later came regular roles in Spearhead (1978-81) as a soldier's wife, and the short-lived soap Albion Market (1985-86) as Ly Nhu Chan, a Vietnamese stallholder selling wickerwork and baskets. She was born Lim Phaik Seng in George Town, Penang (then in British Malaya, and now part of Malaysia), during the second world war when it was occupied by Japanese forces. Her mother, Tan Siew Chin, was from a poor local family, while her father, Lim Cheng Teik, of Chinese origin, owned a successful rice mill. During her postwar childhood, Lim attended the Light Street convent school, where she was known as 'Pixi', and she was entranced by black-and-white films and visits to Teochew operas. She mounted her own productions in the family's dining room, acting with her brother, two sisters and cousins in front of relatives and neighbours. Lim's parents had plans for her to study at Cambridge University, with the aim of a career in law or accountancy, but she shocked them by dropping the bombshell that she was leaving home at the age of 16 to train at the Lamda drama school in London. She lived with her brother and changed her name from Phaik Seng to Pik-Sen Lim: 'My English friends were calling me 'fake' and I told myself, 'This just won't do.'' Her professional stage debut came in Euripides's Greek tragedy The Bacchae (Mermaid theatre, 1964) and she starred in the East German TV drama The Girl from the Jungle (1964), about Malaya's struggle for independence. In 1968, after her run in Emergency – Ward 10 ended, she married one of its scriptwriters, Don Houghton, who later created the Scottish soap Take the High Road. Houghton wrote the 1971 Doctor Who serial Mind of Evil, in which Lim played Captain Chin Lee, a member of the Chinese delegation at a world peace conference who, coming under the power of the Time Lord's arch-enemy, the Master, heightens tensions with the US. Lim also translated some lines into the Chinese language of Hokkien for a conversation between a delegate and Jon Pertwee, as the Doctor. While amassing dozens of one-off character parts on television, Lim appeared in half a dozen films. Her roles included an assistant to the Thought Factory boss acted by Bette Davis in Madame Sin (1972); the wife of an Asian diplomat (played by Burt Kwouk) in Plenty (1985), starring Meryl Streep; and a performance alongside Rowan Atkinson in Johnny English Reborn (2011) that led one critic to note that the 'best of the physical shtick here is the recurring appearance of an Asian granny called 'the killer cleaner' (Pik-Sen Lim), whose vacuum sweeper comes with an array of lethal attachments, including a chainsaw'. Her later TV parts included Aladdin's mother in the mini-series Arabian Nights (2000) and the regular roles of Chien, another student of English as a second language, in This Way Up (2019-21) and Queen Marina in the boarding school fantasy Vampire Academy (2022). She also voiced Grandma in the animated children's series Luo Bao Bei (2018). Lim and her husband were divorced shortly before his death in 1991. She is survived by their daughter, the actor Sara Houghton, a granddaughter, Phoebe, and her sister Quee Lin Lim. Pik-Sen Lim (Lim Phaik Seng), actor, born 15 September 1943; died 9 June 2025
Times
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
Is the shiny happy world of ITV's morning television coming to an end?
For Lorraine Kelly, it was a funny return to the land of the living — or at least the land of the recently woken up. Celebrated only last autumn in a documentary subtitled 40 Unforgettable Years, on Monday the 65-year-old 'queen of daytime' returned to her 9am ITV show after having undergone surgery to remove her ovaries and fallopian tubes. A slightly muted ITV press release noted that she 'continued to remain a mainstay in British television'. But on Tuesday afternoon came a further announcement. From next January her programme Lorraine would have its running time halved to 30 minutes and air 'on a seasonal basis' just 30 weeks a year. But that was not the end of the bad news for those labouring
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
The best and worst looks at the Baftas: Billie Piper goes punk-rock and Claudia Winkleman wears leggings
The Bafta TV awards are not only a reason to celebrate the best of British television, but also an excuse for some glorious red carpet fashion. As the star's descended on London's Royal Festival Hall amid soaring temperatures for this year's ceremony, there was an eclectic mix of looks – from the impeccably elegant to the curiously accessorised. Anna Maxwell Martin may have attended due to her nomination for Leading Actress (for her turn in ITV1's Until I Kill You) but she also made a compelling bid for best-dressed. Her black dress with asymmetric ruffles, bows and peplum detailing (which resembles Roksanda's covetable designs) set the tone for one of the key trends of the night – texture. Another fine example of this came courtesy of Nicola Coughlan, who was nominated for her comedic role in Channel 4's Big Mood. The Bridgerton star's ensemble featured a glittering black lace skirt and floral off-the-shoulder top in the perfect shade of clotted cream. Then there was Marisa Abela, whose rich plum-hued look combined a corseted hourglass top and a textured skirt with flattering drapes. Other celebrities offered slightly more surprising looks, namely Billie Piper, who will likely divide commentators with her punk-rock princess aesthetic. The bubblegum pink off-the-shoulder gown featured a voluminous train that puffed out to reveal a pleated mini skirt beneath, paired with platform corset-lace shoes that appeared to nod to the late Vivienne Westwood. Perhaps even more divisive than the punky fairytale dress was what was worn beneath it – semi-opaque tights, despite London's 25-degree heat. Piper was not the only star to defy the mini-heatwave sweeping the UK; Emily Atack looked fresh in a white dress with gathered detail and Rivals-worthy power shoulders, but her black leather opera gloves must have been decidedly warm. Another unseasonable trend that cropped up on the red carpet was a festive favourite: velvet. Jessica Gunning looked glamorous in a black velvet off-the-shoulder gown with gilded gold details, while Emma King (who arrived with her husband Alex Hassell) made a strong case for wearing the material all year round in a black strapless dress with a cut-out and subtle peplum. As well as the wisdom of wintery accessories and the surprising appeal of summer velvet, another sartorial question raised on the night was – can you wear leggings on a red carpet? The answer is an emphatic yes if you happen to be Claudia Winkleman, who ripped up the rulebook and arrived in black leggings dressed up with a sharp black blazer and white pointed stilettos. Whether or not they were the signature Spanx style the presenter frequently dons for The Traitors, the look was pleasingly rebellious. And in any case, it was heartening to see that she didn't upstage Baftas host Alan Cumming, who also brought a touch of vampy Traitors style to the red carpet in a kilt over tailored trousers, a jacket with exaggerated lapels and what looked like white tailored wings. Speaking of tailoring, there were plenty of brilliant men's looks on the red carpet, especially from the cast of Rivals. Hassell knocked it out of the park in kick-flare tailored trousers and a marron neck-tie that brought a touch of playful chic, while David Tennant donned a check suit with burgundy piping – plus a flamboyant silk shirt. Danny Dyer looked dapper in a tuxedo with a navy blue lapel, plus his new signature moustache. And it wasn't just the men who showcased the power of a great suit. If there's one key trend that has cropped up time and again on the 2025 red carpets, it's women in power suits (see Nicole Kidman going full Annie Hall at the Critics Choice Awards for a notable example). The Baftas red carpet – more specifically Jessie J in a subtly oversized burgundy suit and tie – suggested that the look is here to stay. All in all, there were plenty of talking points on a glorious May day. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
The best and worst looks at the Baftas: Billie Piper goes punk-rock and Claudia Winkleman wears leggings
The Bafta TV awards are not only a reason to celebrate the best of British television, but also an excuse for some glorious red carpet fashion. As the star's descended on London's Royal Festival Hall amid soaring temperatures for this year's ceremony, there was an eclectic mix of looks – from the impeccably elegant to the curiously accessorised. Anna Maxwell Martin may have attended due to her nomination for Leading Actress (for her turn in ITV1's Until I Kill You) but she also made a compelling bid for best-dressed. Her black dress with asymmetric ruffles, bows and peplum detailing (which resembles Roksanda's covetable designs) set the tone for one of the key trends of the night – texture. Another fine example of this came courtesy of Nicola Coughlan, who was nominated for her comedic role in Channel 4's Big Mood. The Bridgerton star's ensemble featured a glittering black lace skirt and floral off-the-shoulder top in the perfect shade of clotted cream. Then there was Marisa Abela, whose rich plum-hued look combined a corseted hourglass top and a textured skirt with flattering drapes. Other celebrities offered slightly more surprising looks, namely Billie Piper, who will likely divide commentators with her punk-rock princess aesthetic. The bubblegum pink off-the-shoulder gown featured a voluminous train that puffed out to reveal a pleated mini skirt beneath, paired with platform corset-lace shoes that appeared to nod to the late Vivienne Westwood. Perhaps even more divisive than the punky fairytale dress was what was worn beneath it – semi-opaque tights, despite London's 25-degree heat. Piper was not the only star to defy the mini-heatwave sweeping the UK; Emily Atack looked fresh in a white dress with gathered detail and Rivals -worthy power shoulders, but her black leather opera gloves must have been decidedly warm. Another unseasonable trend that cropped up on the red carpet was a festive favourite: velvet. Jessica Gunning looked glamorous in a black velvet off-the-shoulder gown with gilded gold details, while Emma King (who arrived with her husband Alex Hassell) made a strong case for wearing the material all year round in a black strapless dress with a cut-out and subtle peplum. As well as the wisdom of wintery accessories and the surprising appeal of summer velvet, another sartorial question raised on the night was – can you wear leggings on a red carpet? The answer is an emphatic yes if you happen to be Claudia Winkleman, who ripped up the rulebook and arrived in black leggings dressed up with a sharp black blazer and white pointed stilettos. Whether or not they were the signature Spanx style the presenter frequently dons for The Traitors, the look was pleasingly rebellious. And in any case, it was heartening to see that she didn't upstage Baftas host Alan Cumming, who also brought a touch of vampy Traitors style to the red carpet in a kilt over tailored trousers, a jacket with exaggerated lapels and what looked like white tailored wings. Speaking of tailoring, there were plenty of brilliant men's looks on the red carpet, especially from the cast of Rivals. Hassell knocked it out of the park in kick-flare tailored trousers and a marron neck-tie that brought a touch of playful chic, while David Tennant donned a check suit with burgundy piping – plus a flamboyant silk shirt. Danny Dyer looked dapper in a tuxedo with a navy blue lapel, plus his new signature moustache. And it wasn't just the men who showcased the power of a great suit. If there's one key trend that has cropped up time and again on the 2025 red carpets, it's women in power suits (see Nicole Kidman going full Annie Hall at the Critics Choice Awards for a notable example). The Baftas red carpet – more specifically Jessie J in a subtly oversized burgundy suit and tie – suggested that the look is here to stay. All in all, there were plenty of talking points on a glorious May day.
Times
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
How to watch the Bafta TV awards 2025: channels and timings
The TV Baftas is the biggest event in the British television industry calendar and offers a chance for the great and the good of the small screen to get together and celebrate the best shows and performances of the past 12 months. Shortlist nominations for the 2025 awards were released in March. Richard Gadd's much talked-about stalking and abuse drama Baby Reindeer leads the pack with eight nominations, while Mr Bates vs The Post Office, Rivals and Slow Horses have also received multiple nods. Here is everything you need to know about the 2025 Bafta TV awards. The awards ceremony takes place on Sunday, May 11, at the Royal Festival Hall in London. It will be the 11th time in the awards' 71-year
