Dilys Watling
British actress (1942–2021)
Bruce Anderson
(m. 1966, divorced)Owen Teale
(m. 1986, divorced)- Deborah Watling (maternal half-sister)
- Giles Watling (maternal half-brother)
- Jack Watling (stepfather)
Dilys Rhys Watling (née Jones, 5 May 1942 – 10 August 2021) was an English actress, best known for appearing on British television (Coronation Street, The Benny Hill Show and The Two Ronnies).[1]
Early life and education
Watling was born Dilys Rhys Jones, the daughter of actor Ion Rhys Jones and Patricia Hicks. Ion Rhys Jones was killed in action in World War II, and her mother later married actor Jack Watling.[2]
She attended St Mary's Convent School, Woodford, Essex, followed by acting school.
Career
She acted in repertory theatre and at the Bristol Old Vic. Watling was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical for her Broadway debut in the short-lived Georgy in 1970. It proved to be her sole Broadway credit. Other stage credits include the musical Pickwick (1964), an adaptation of Dickens's The Pickwick Papers; the role of the Beggar Woman in the 1980 London cast of Sweeney Todd in the West End; and the West End multi-media Dave Clark rock musical Time (1986). She also made occasional film appearances, including rôles in the comedy Two Left Feet (1963); crime film, Calculated Risk, (also 1963); and the horror film, Theatre of Death, (1967).
Personal life
Watling had four half-siblings through her mother's marriage to actor Jack Watling. These include actor Deborah and politician/actor Giles Watling.
Watling was married twice: her first marriage was to Australian Bruce Anderson in 1966; they later divorced.[1] After a relationship with actor Christopher Matthews,[citation needed] in 1986 she married actor Owen Teale, with whom she had a son, Ion, before divorcing in the mid-1990s.[1]
On 10 August 2021, she died aged 79 after a long illness.[3][4][5]
TV credits
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1962 | Compact | Gillian Nesbitt |
| 1965 | The Likely Lads Episode: 'A Star Is Born' | Rhona |
| 1965 | United! | Sue Grainger |
| 1966 | Theatre 625 Episode: 'Doctor Knock' | Nurse |
| 1966 | Pardon the Expression Episode: 'Night to Remember' | Miss Foster |
| 1966 | Coronation Street | Merle Baker (4 episodes) |
| 1967 | ITV Play of the Week Episode: 'Dr De Waldo's Therapy' | Janet |
| 1967 | Mr Rose Episode: 'The Deadly Doll' | Wendy Lee |
| 1967 | Twice a Fortnight | Various |
| 1969 | Will the Real Mike Yarwood Stand Up? | |
| 1969 | The Frankie Howerd Show | Various |
| 1969 | Never Mind the Quality, Feel the Width Episode: 'Arrivederci Roma' | Stewardess |
| 1970 | The Other Reg Varney | Various |
| 1971 | Sykes: With the Lid Off | |
| 1971 | Paul Temple Episode: 'Game, Set and Match' | Marge |
| 1971 | Scott On... Episodes: 'Entertainment'; 'Dress' | |
| 1972–79 | The Two Ronnies | Various |
| 1976 | The Morecambe & Wise Show | Flossie, A Serving Wench |
| 1975-1977 | The Benny Hill Show | |
| 1987 | Harry's Kingdom (TV film) | Dawn |
| 1991 | The Bill Episode: 'Getting Involved' | Mrs Goodall |
| 1994 | Minder Episode: 'A Fridge Too Far' | Mrs Kravitz |
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1963 | Calculated Risk | Julie |
| 1963 | Two Left Feet | Mavis |
| 1967 | Theatre of Death | Heidi |
References
- ^ a b c Hayward, Anthony (31 August 2021). "Dilys Watling obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
- ^ Shorter, Eric (25 May 2001). "Obituary: Jack Watling". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 18 February 2020.
- ^ Dwan, James (13 August 2021). "Tributes paid to Tony award nominated actress Dilys Watling, 78". Wandsworth Times.
- ^ Coronation Street star Dilys Watling dies aged 78 Metro, 16 August 2021. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
- ^ Dilys Watling death: Coronation Street and The Two Ronnies star dies aged 78 The Independent, 16 August 2021. Retrieved 16 August 2021.
External links
- Dilys Watling at IMDb
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