Thelma Barlow (née Pigott; born 19 June 1929) is an English
television actress and writer, known for her roles as Mavis Wilton in
the long-running ITV soap opera Coronation Street and as Dolly
Bellfield in the sitcom Dinnerladies.Barlow was born in 1929 in
Middlesbrough, North Riding of Yorkshire, the younger of two
daughters. Her father, Tommy, a cabinet maker, died of pneumonia five
weeks before her birth, aged 37, and Barlow was brought up by her
mother Margaret.During her childhood the family moved to Huddersfield,
West Riding of Yorkshire. Barlow left school at 15 and went to
Huddersfield Technical College to study shorthand and typing. Her
first job was as a secretary, which she held for eight years and at
the same time belonged to an amateur dramatics group. Barlow decided
to take up acting professionally and joined the Joan Littlewood
Theatre Group. During the 1950s she did rep in Liverpool, Nottingham
and Birmingham. In 1960 Barlow joined the West of England Theatre
Company followed by the Bristol Old Vic Theatre Company. In Bristol
she ran a boarding house for fellow actors. In 1956 she married set
designer Graham Barlow; they subsequently had two children. They
divorced in 1983.
television actress and writer, known for her roles as Mavis Wilton in
the long-running ITV soap opera Coronation Street and as Dolly
Bellfield in the sitcom Dinnerladies.Barlow was born in 1929 in
Middlesbrough, North Riding of Yorkshire, the younger of two
daughters. Her father, Tommy, a cabinet maker, died of pneumonia five
weeks before her birth, aged 37, and Barlow was brought up by her
mother Margaret.During her childhood the family moved to Huddersfield,
West Riding of Yorkshire. Barlow left school at 15 and went to
Huddersfield Technical College to study shorthand and typing. Her
first job was as a secretary, which she held for eight years and at
the same time belonged to an amateur dramatics group. Barlow decided
to take up acting professionally and joined the Joan Littlewood
Theatre Group. During the 1950s she did rep in Liverpool, Nottingham
and Birmingham. In 1960 Barlow joined the West of England Theatre
Company followed by the Bristol Old Vic Theatre Company. In Bristol
she ran a boarding house for fellow actors. In 1956 she married set
designer Graham Barlow; they subsequently had two children. They
divorced in 1983.
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