KATHY STAFFKathy Staff, who died on 14 December, 2008, aged 80, was an icon of British comedy who will forever be remembered as Nora Batty, stalwart housewife and unfortunate object of the affections of Compo (played by Bill Owen)in Last of the Summer Wine.With her wrinkled tights and broom often used as a weapon to shoo away the troublesome pensioner stars of the show, she played Nora from 1973 to 2008, an incredible 243 episodes.She was also known for playing cleaner Doris Luke in the soap Crossroads (1978-85, and again in 2001) and another comedy housewife, the acid-tongued Mrs Blewitt in Open All Hours (1976-1981).She was born Minnie Higginbottom on 12 July, 1928, and acted as Katherine Grant until marrying John Staff in 1951.Despite being known for playing fearsome northern ladies, the Cheshire-born actress was known behind the scenes for being anything but a battleaxe.Co-star Peter Sallis was terribly upset by the loss of an "irreplaceable" colleague.He said: "She dominated anything that she was in. You could stop acting when Kathy was there because she was going to do it all for you."We don't know quite for sure whether we're going to do any more episodes, but if we do she's going to be terribly missed."Mike Grady, (who played Barry), added: "She was blessed with a wonderful, quite formidable face, which I hope isn't disrespectful, but she knew it."What was good about her was that she was well aware of her work and what she could bring to a role."And she had that wonderful resonant voice, which was quite intimidating. She was actually a very sweet woman."Last of the Summer Wine producer Alan Bell paid tribute to her saying: “She would play a scene quite gently, and I'd say, 'But Kathy, you've got to harden up, because that's who we all love, the hard, tough Nora Batty.' And she said, 'Why can't I be just soft and gentle at times?' And I said, 'Maybe some time we will.'"She was such a good lady, she was religious, she would never do anyone any harm. But above all that, she was thoroughly professional."He added: “We're distraught, but we have very fond memories of her.”
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