From West End chorus girl to the heart of British television history
In short: Before she was a household name, Amanda Barrie danced her way through the West End. From the iconic comedy of the Carry On films to a legendary twenty-year stint on Coronation Street, her career spans the most celebrated eras of British screen and stage.
Born Shirley Anne Broadbent in 1935, the actress began her journey far from the bright lights of television stardom. Her early professional life was defined by movement; she worked for many years as a West End chorus girl and a dancer. At just sixteen years old, she was already performing at the Windsor Club alongside notable figures such as Danny La Rue and Barbara Windsor.
Her transition to film and television brought significant comedic success. In the early 1960s, she appeared in the Carry On film series, notably playing a cab driver in Carry On Cabby in 1963 and taking the title role in Carry On Cleo in 1964. Her screen career also included roles in films like Operation Bullshine, which served as her 1959 debut, and the 1965 production I've Gotta Horse, where she met and entered a relationship with singer Billy Fury.
However, it was her association with Coronation Street that cemented her legacy. Though she appeared in the spin-off Pardon the Expression in 1966, her most famous role, Alma Halliwell, began as a bit-player in the early to mid-1980s. After receiving a contract in 1988, her character became a central figure in the soap opera for two decades, until her departure in 2001. The character's arc famously concluded with a diagnosis of cervical cancer.
Beyond the screen, Barrie has maintained a prolific presence in pantomime, often playing the Fairy Godmother in various productions of Cinderella across the UK. Her personal life has also been shared through her writing, including her 2004 autobiography, It's Not A Rehearsal, in which she came out as bisexual.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Amanda Barrie
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/history-amanda-barrie.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Born on this day · More in History · Latest · A–Z · All topics
