DilysLAYELondon-born actress Dilys Laye, who died on 13 February, 2009, aged 74, was in constant demand from the 1950s onwards for parts on radio, TV, film and stage. But many will remember her for her roles in four of the most popular Carry On films.
She was also a writer and co-wrote the TV series Chintz in which she starred in 1981 alongside Michele Dotrice.
Born on 11 March, 1934, she was evacauted to the country during World War Two and on her return attended the Ada Foster Stage School from the age of 13.
As a teenager she made her film debut playing the young Trottie True in the film of the same name which also starred Bill Owen - later famous as Compo in Last of The Summer Wine. Future star Ian Carmichael also had a bit part in the film and the two became friends for life.
Her last recorded appearance was in 2008 playing Edna Sutton in the TV series The Commander:Abduction.
In between she played many of the great female roles on stage including Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Ernest; Ruth in The Pirates of Penzance; Aunt Ella in Oklahoma and Golde in Fiddler on the Roof.
She shared a flat with Julie Andrews in the 1950s when the two co-starred in the original Broadway production of The Boyfriend.
Ms Laye was asked to do her first Carry On with three days’ notice. She told The Stage newspaper in a 2005 interview: “I took over the role that was intended for Joan Sims in Carry On Cruising because Joan was ill. After that, whenever they wanted a small comedienne who could do accents, they sent for me. I was never beautiful like Barbara Murray, or sexy like Diana Dors, I was the character girl who looked good opposite little comics like Charlie Drake and Norman Wisdom.”
She also appeared in Carry On Doctor, Carry On Spying and Carry On Camping.
She was cast in the films Blue Murder AtSt Trinian’s and Doctor at Large and alsohad a cameo role in A Countess From Hong Kong (1967) which was directed by Charlie Chaplin and starred Marlon Brando and Sophia Loren.
She was a leading member of the Royal Shakespeare Company and on television she was seen in Holby City, Doctors, Coronation Street, Midsomer Murders and played Maxine Palmer - mother of Debbie - in EastEnders.
Ms Laye also worked with Leslie Crowther and Michael Miles in a programme called Accent On Youth. Dilys and Leslie were both in their teens at the time and remained friends until Leslie died in 1996.
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