Dilys Watling

Dilys Watling (born Dilys Rhys Jones, 5 May 1943 in Fulmer Chase, Buckinghamshire) is an English actress, best known for appearing on British television (Coronation Street, The Benny Hill Show and The Two Ronnies).

Dilys Watling
Born
Dilys Rhys Jones

(1943-05-05) 5 May 1943
OccupationActress
Years active1962–1994
Spouse(s)Bruce Anderson
Owen Teale
Children1
Parent(s)Sidney Rhys Jones
Patricia Hicks
Jack Watling (stepfather)
RelativesDeborah Watling (maternal half-sister)
Giles Watling (maternal half-brother)

Biography

Watling was born Dilys Rhys Jones, the daughter of actor Ion Rhys Jones and Patricia Hicks (1919–2011). Ion Rhys Jones was killed in action in World War II, and her mother later married actor Jack Watling.[1]

She attended St Mary's Convent School, Woodford, Essex, followed by acting school. She went on to act 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 roles in the comedy Two Left Feet (1963) and the horror film Theatre of Death (1967).

Personal life

Watling has four half-siblings through her mother's marriage to actor Jack Watling. These include actor Deborah and politician/actor Giles Watling.

Watling has been married twice: her first husband was Australian Bruce Anderson, from whom she divorced. After a relationship with actor Christopher Matthews she later married Owen Teale, by whom she has a son, Ion.

TV credits

YearTitleRole
1962CompactGillian Nesbitt
1965The Likely Lads
Episode: 'A Star Is Born'
Rhona
1965United!Sue Grainger
1966Theatre 625
Episode: 'Doctor Knock'
Nurse
1966Pardon the Expression
Episode: 'Night to Remember'
Miss Foster
1966Coronation StreetMerle Baker
1967ITV Play of the Week
Episode: 'Dr De Waldo's Therapy'
Janet
1967Mr Rose
Episode: 'The Deadly Doll'
Wendy Lee
1967Twice a FortnightVarious
1969Will the Real Mike Yarwood Stand Up?
1969The Frankie Howerd ShowVarious
1969Never Mind the Quality, Feel the Width
Episode: 'Arrivederci Roma'
Stewardess
1970The Other Reg VarneyVarious
1971Sykes: With the Lid Off
1971Paul Temple
Episode: 'Game, Set and Match'
Marge
1971Scott On...
Episodes: 'Entertainment'; 'Dress'
1972–79The Two RonniesVarious
1976The Morecambe & Wise ShowFlossie, A Serving Wench
1987Harry's Kingdom (TV film)Dawn
1991The Bill
Episode: 'Getting Involved'
Mrs Goodall
1994Minder
Episode: 'A Fridge Too Far'
Mrs Kravitz

Filmography

YearTitleRole
1963Calculated RiskJulie
1963Two Left FeetMavis
1967Theatre of DeathHeidi

References

  1. Shorter, Eric (2001-05-25). "Obituary: Jack Watling". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2020-02-18.
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