Shirley Valentine actor Pauline Collins has died aged 85 following a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.
The actress passed away ‘peacefully’ in her London care home surrounded by relatives, her family said, having endured the disease for several years.
Pauline was married to actor John Alderton, 84, with whom she frequently appeared on stage and screen, and who led the tributes to the star alongside Dame Joanna Lumley.
In a statement released on Sunday, which came to light on Thursday evening, her family said: ‘Pauline was so many things to so many people, playing a variety of roles in her life.
‘A bright, sparky, witty presence on stage and screen. Her illustrious career saw her play politicians, mothers and queens.
‘She will always be remembered as the iconic, strong-willed, vivacious and wise Shirley Valentine – a role that she made all her own.
‘We were familiar with all those parts of her because her magic was contained in each one of them.
‘More than anything, though, she was our loving mum, our wonderful grandma and great-grandma. Warm, funny, generous, thoughtful, wise, she was always there for us. And she was John’s life-long love. A partner, work collaborator, and wife of 56 years.
‘We particularly want to thank her carers: angels who looked after her with dignity, compassion, and most of all love. She could not have had a more peaceful goodbye.
Shirley Valentine actor Pauline Collins has died aged 85, following a long battle with Parkinson’s disease (pictured in 2017)
In 1988, Collins starred in the one-woman play Shirley Valentine in London before taking the role to Broadway in 1989 and acting in the 1989 film adaptation with Tom Conti (pictured)
‘We hope you will remember her at the height of her powers; so joyful and full of energy; and give us the space and privacy to contemplate a life without her.’
Pauline and her husband John were one of Britain’s best-known acting couples, performing together in Upstairs, Downstairs and Thomas and Sarah.
They had three children – Nicholas, Kate and Richard.
In an emotional tribute, husband John said: ‘Pauline Collins was a remarkable star. I had the great good fortune to have worked with her more than any other actor in our many TV series, films and West End stage shows together, and watched her genius at close quarters.
‘What I saw was not only her brilliant range of diverse characters but her magic of bringing out the best in all of the people she worked with. She wanted everyone to be special and she did this by never saying ‘Look at me’. It’s no wonder that she was voted the nation’s sweetheart in the 1970s.
‘She will always be remembered for Shirley Valentine, not only for her Oscar nomination or the film itself, but for clean-sweeping all seven awards when she portrayed her on Broadway in the stage play, in which she played every character herself.
‘But her greatest performance was as my wife and mother to our beautiful children.’
Dame Joanna Lumley, who acted alongside Collins in Shirley Valentine, also paid tribute to the ‘unforgettable’ actress.
She said: ‘We only shared one afternoon, filming a scene for Shirley Valentine: but in that short time I could see at once why she became a blazing star.
‘The blend of truthfulness and soulful naivety with impeccable comic timing and mischief made her unforgettable.’
Born in Devon and raised in Wallasey, Cheshire, Pauline trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama after working briefly as a teacher.
Her early television success came in the BBC sitcom The Liver Birds, before her breakthrough role in Shirley Valentine made her an international star.
The actress passed away ‘peacefully’ in her London care home surrounded by her family having endured the disease for several years, her family said (pictured in 2017)
Pauline was married to actor John Alderton, 84, with whom she frequently appeared on stage and screen
The pair were one of Britain’s best-known acting couples, performing together in Upstairs, Downstairs (pictured) and Thomas & Sarah
Her early television success came in the BBC sitcom The Liver Birds, before her breakthrough role in Shirley Valentine made her an international star
The 1989 film, adapted from Willy Russell’s stage play, earned her a Best Actress nomination at the Academy Awards and a Golden Globe win for Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical.
The film followed the life of a Liverpool housewife who rediscovers herself on a trip to Greece – a performance that became one of the defining portrayals of British cinema in the 1980s.
Pauline’s extensive career also included performances in No Sex Please, We’re British, Wodehouse Playhouse, Forever Green and The Time Of Their Lives.
Her stage work spanned decades, with roles in London’s West End and regional theatre productions.
She continued acting well into later life, appearing in film and television projects including Albert Nobbs, The Royle Family and The Last Detective.
The actress appeared alongside Patrick Swayze in 1992’s City Of Joy and starred in Dustin Hoffman’s 2012 comedy Quartet alongside Dame Maggie Smith, Sir Tom Courtenay and Sir Billy Connolly.
Her final film role was alongside Dame Joan Collins in 2017’s The Time Of Their Lives, which follows a retired actress and her friend as they travel from London to France for an ex-lover’s funeral.
In 2001 Collins was made an OBE for her services to drama.
The actress’s family said that anyone wishing to donate in her memory can make a donation to Parkinson’s UK at https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/donate.
Pauline is survived by her husband John, their children and grandchildren.
