‘One Foot in the Grave’ star Doreen Mantle dies ‘peacefully at home’ aged 97

9 August 2023

‘One Foot in the Grave’ star Doreen Mantle has died aged 97.

‘One Foot in the Grave’ star Doreen Mantle has died aged 97

The hugely acclaimed theatre and TV actress – best known for her role as Jean Worbys, the doddery friend of Victor Meldrew’s wife, in the long-running BBC sitcom, passed away peacefully at home.

Her agent said in a statement on Wednesday (09.08.23): “It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our beloved client and much-loved stage, screen and radio actress Doreen Mantle, aged 97.

“She died peacefully at home. She is survived by her two songs, four grandchildren and one brother.”

Doreen was also famed for her role in BBC detective series ‘Father Brown’, and for playing Joy Fishwick on ITV’s ‘Coronation Street’ soap.

Her other credits include ‘My Family’, ‘Jam and Jerusalem’, ‘Doc Martin’ and ‘Jonathan Creek’.

Born in Johannesburg, South African in June 1926, she established herself as a TV actress in 1960s shows such as ‘Sam Saturday’, ‘Chalk’, and went on to appear in ‘Lovejoy’, ‘Holby City’ and ‘Casualty’.

Doreen played lollipop lady Queenie in ‘Jam and Jerusalem’ from 2006 to 2008, in which she co-starred with Jennifer Saunders, Dawn French, Joana Lumley and Sue Johnston.

Her theatre highlights include turns in ‘Death of a Salesman’ for the National Theatre, for which she won an Olivier Award in 1979 for Actress of the Year in a supporting role.

She also starred and produced her one-woman show ‘My Truth and Reconciliation’, and appeared in ‘Billy Liar’ at the Duke of York’s Theatre, London.