Latest news with #Lancastrian
Pink Villa
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Who Was Barbara Ferris? Exploring Life and Career of Coronation Street Star Amid Her Death at 85
Trigger Warning: This article contains mention of death. Barbara Ferris, who was well-known for playing the character of Nona Willis in Coronation Street, passed away at the age of 85. Her cause of death is not yet out, but the reports revealed that the actress breathed her last on May 23. Ferris made an impact on the 1961 TV show based at the Rovers pub, even though she appeared on the sets of the daily soap for only 10 days. The reason was claimed to be her difficulty in understanding the Lancastrian accent. The actress has also appeared in projects like Children of the Damned and Catch Us if You Can. Life and career of Barbara Ferris Barbara Ferris was born in London and stepped into the acting industry when she was a teenager. The late actress initially took up roles in commercial ads and pantomimes. Later, the late daily soap star went on to choose modeling as her career. She also went briefly into dancing and got to perform in Bob Fosse's The Pajama Game. Ferris took up roles in theater plays, considering she enjoyed the fringe theater. She went on to produce and finance two shows at the King's Theater in Islington. As for her popular roles on screen, the late actress appeared as Dinah in the 1965 movie Catch Us if You Can. She was known to be the woman who eloped with Dave Clark in the film. Following her big role in the movie, Ferris went on to bag the lead role in Edward Bond's Saved. The play was headlined in the newspapers as controversial. To get the play past the censorship, Laurence Olivier wrote a letter to the organization, stating, 'Saved is not a play for children but it is for grown-ups, and the grown-ups of this country should have the courage to look at it.' Barbara Ferris is survived by her husband and three children.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Coronation Street star dead: Tributes pour in for Barbara Ferris following death aged 85
Barbara Ferris, the actress best known for her portrayal of barmaid Nona Willis in Coronation Street, has died at the age of 85. Ferris, who made a brief but memorable appearance in the iconic soap, departed the show after just 10 episodes, admitting she found the Lancastrian accent too difficult to follow. Beyond Coronation Street, Ferris appeared in various other roles, including Catch Us If You Can and Children Of The Damned. Her final film role came in 1990 when she starred in The Krays, directed by Peter Medak. Ferris was also part of an accomplished family. Her younger sister, Pam, pursued acting, appearing in The Darling Buds of May and Call The Midwife, while another sibling, Liz, made her mark as a champion springboard diver, winning a bronze medal at the 1960 Rome Olympics. Following the news of her passing, tributes have poured in. One fan wrote: 'Absolutely gutted to hear about Barbara Ferris. She had such a quiet grace on screen — Catch Us If You Can was a core memory from my childhood. Rest easy, Dinah.' 'RIP to Barbara Ferris – unforgettable in The Krays. That voice, that presence. We were lucky to have her, even if briefly,' another penned. A colleague fondly remembered 'Barbara was one of the kindest, most generous actors I ever worked with. Her laughter lit up every set we shared. It was an honour just to be around her.' Ferris is survived by her husband, film producer John Quested, and their children, Nicholas, Christopher, and Catherine. She passed away on May 23, 2025, though the cause of death has not been confirmed. Ferris's younger sister, Pam, previously shared how her sister 'changed her life' in a 2014 interview. In conversation with the Daily Mail, Pam revealed that Barbara's move to New Zealand was a pivotal moment in her own life, leading to her passion for acting. Then aged 23 she returned to London. She reflected: ''It was a huge decision and a very painful one for all of us. Luckily the move to London worked out well for me. I got an agent and enough work to afford somewhere to live. Long before series like The Darling Buds Of May and the Matilda and Harry Potter films I was cast in wonderful TV dramas like The Rag Trade. 'My parents have passed away now but Barbara still lives in New Zealand, and these days we fly to see each other as often as possible. 'The older we get, the closer we become. And if it hadn't been for her phone call that afternoon, my life could have turned out quite differently.'
Irish Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Beloved Coronation Street star dies aged 85 as fans share heartbreaking tributes
Former model and Coronation Street actress has passed away aged 85. Barbara Ferris played a barmaid in Coronation Street in 1961, and enjoyed a decades-long career. After a stint on Coronation Street as Nona Willis, actress Barbara stepped away from the show after just 10 episodes, admitting she found the Lancastrian accent too difficult to follow. Film fans may also remember her as Dinah, the love interest who runs away with Dave Clark in the 1965 movie Catch Us If You Can. Her final screen appearance came in 1990's The Krays, directed by Peter Medak. Ferris eventually left acting behind to focus on raising her children and accompanying her husband on international work trips, with the couple settling in homes across Ireland, Zurich, and London. Born in London to Dorothy and Roy Ferris, she was the youngest of two children. As a student at the Italia Conti stage school, she took on pantomimes and commercials to support her family, Mirror UK reports. Following news of her passing, fans have shared touching tributes and vintage photos online to honour her memory. One wrote: 'Absolutely gutted to hear about Barbara Ferris. She had such a quiet grace on screen - Catch Us If You Can was a core memory from my childhood. Rest easy, Dinah." Another echoed: 'RIP to Barbara Ferris - unforgettable in The Krays. That voice, that presence. We were lucky to have her, even if briefly.' And someone else wrote: "Barbara was one of the kindest, most generous actors I ever worked with. Her laughter lit up every set we shared. It was an honour just to be around her." Ferris, who passed away on May 23, 2025, led a life touched by both quiet stardom and personal devotion. Her younger sister, Liz, achieved athletic acclaim, becoming a springboard diving champion and taking home bronze at the 1960 Rome Olympics. That same year, Ferris married film producer John Quested. But the newlyweds had little time to celebrate - their honeymoon was a single night at The Dorchester, cut short by Ferris's imminent professional stage debut. Ferris is survived by her husband and their three children: Nicholas, Christopher, and Catherine.
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Coronation Street star Barbara Ferris dies as tributes pour in
Film fans may also remember her as Dinah, the love interest who runs away with Dave Clark in the 1965 movie Catch Us If You Can. Coronation Street star Barbara Ferris has died aged 85. The former model and actress played a barmaid in Coronation Street in 1961, which led to a decades-long career in the spotlight. After a playing Nona Willis on Coronation Street Barbara stepped away from the show after just 10 episodes, admitting she found the Lancastrian accent too difficult to follow. Film fans may also remember her as Dinah, the love interest who runs away with Dave Clark in the 1965 movie Catch Us If You Can. Her final screen appearance came in 1990's The Krays, directed by Peter Medak. Ferris eventually left acting behind to focus on raising her children and accompanying her husband on international work trips, with the couple settling in homes across Ireland, Zurich, and London. Born in London to Dorothy and Roy Ferris, she was the youngest of two children. As a student at the Italia Conti stage school, she took on pantomimes and commercials to support her family. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Following news of her passing, fans have shared touching tributes and vintage photos online to honour her memory. One wrote: 'Absolutely gutted to hear about Barbara Ferris. She had such a quiet grace on screen — Catch Us If You Can was a core memory from my childhood. Rest easy, Dinah." Another echoed: 'RIP to Barbara Ferris - unforgettable in The Krays. That voice, that presence. We were lucky to have her, even if briefly.' And someone else wrote: "Barbara was one of the kindest, most generous actors I ever worked with. Her laughter lit up every set we shared. It was an honour just to be around her." Ferris, who passed away on May 23, 2025, led a life touched by both quiet stardom and personal devotion. Her younger sister, Liz, achieved athletic acclaim, becoming a springboard diving champion and taking home bronze at the 1960 Rome Olympics. That same year, Ferris married film producer John Quested. But the newlyweds had little time to celebrate - their honeymoon was a single night at The Dorchester, cut short by Ferris's imminent professional stage debut. Ferris is survived by her husband and their three children: Nicholas, Christopher, and Catherine.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Coronation Street barmaid dies as tributes pour in from fans
Former model and Coronation Street actress has passed away aged 85. Barbara Ferris played a barmaid in Coronation Street in 1961, and enjoyed a decades-long career. After a stint on Coronation Street as Nona Willis, actress Barbara stepped away from the show after just 10 episodes, admitting she found the Lancastrian accent too difficult to follow. Film fans may also remember her as Dinah, the love interest who runs away with Dave Clark in the 1965 movie Catch Us If You Can. Her final screen appearance came in 1990's The Krays, directed by Peter Medak. Ferris eventually left acting behind to focus on raising her children and accompanying her husband on international work trips, with the couple settling in homes across Ireland, Zurich, and London. Born in London to Dorothy and Roy Ferris, she was the youngest of two children. As a student at the Italia Conti stage school, she took on pantomimes and commercials to support her family. Following news of her passing, fans have shared touching tributes and vintage photos online to honour her memory. One wrote: 'Absolutely gutted to hear about Barbara Ferris. She had such a quiet grace on screen — Catch Us If You Can was a core memory from my childhood. Rest easy, Dinah."
