The year 2023 has been a sad one for the entertainment industry, as we have lost many talented and beloved stars. Among them are some of the most iconic and influential British female celebrities, who have left behind a legacy of excellence and inspiration. In this article, we pay tribute to some of the British female celebrities who died in 2023, and celebrate their achievements and impact on the world of arts, culture, and politics.
Glenda Jackson: The Actress Who Became a Politician
Glenda Jackson was a rare example of a performer who achieved success in both acting and politics. She was one of the few performers to achieve the American Triple Crown of Acting, having won two Academy Awards, three Emmy Awards and a Tony Award. She also served as a Labour MP for 23 years, representing Hampstead and Highgate, and later Hampstead and Kilburn.
Jackson was born in Birkenhead, England, in 1936. She studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) and made her stage debut in 1957. She rose to fame in the 1960s and 1970s with her roles in films such as Women in Love (1970), Sunday Bloody Sunday (1971), Mary, Queen of Scots (1971), A Touch of Class (1973), Hedda (1975), and The Incredible Sarah (1976). She won Oscars for Best Actress for Women in Love and A Touch of Class, but did not attend the ceremonies due to work commitments. She also won Emmys for her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth I in the BBC series Elizabeth R (1971) and for her guest appearance on Frasier (1998).
In 1992, Jackson decided to pursue a career in politics and was elected MP for Hampstead and Highgate. She was a junior transport minister from 1997 to 1999 during the first Blair ministry, but later became critical of Blair. She was known for her outspokenness and passion on issues such as social justice, human rights, education, health care, and the environment. She retired from politics in 2015.
In 2016, Jackson returned to acting after a 25-year hiatus. She played King Lear on stage at London's Old Vic Theatre and later on Broadway. She received rave reviews and several awards for her performance. In 2018, she won a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play for her role in the revival of Edward Albee's Three Tall Women. In 2020, she won a Bafta for her screen comeback in the TV drama Elizabeth Is Missing.
Jackson died peacefully at her home in Blackheath, London, on June 15, 2023, after a brief illness. She was 87 years old. She is survived by her son Dan Hodges, a journalist and political commentator.
"She was one of our greatest movie actresses," said Sir Michael Caine, who co-starred with Jackson in their last film The Great Escaper (2023). "It was as wonderful an experience this time as it was 50 years ago. I shall miss her."
"She was the greatest actor that this country has ever produced," said Sir Jonathan Pryce, who played opposite Jackson in King Lear. "She had an extraordinary range and depth of emotion."
She was a formidable politician, an amazing actress and a very supportive mentor to me," said Tulip Siddiq, who succeeded Jackson as MP for Hampstead and Kilburn. "Hampstead and Kilburn will miss you Glenda."
Angela Thorne: The Star of To the Manor Born
Angela Thorne was an actress who starred as Marjory Frobisher in the popular sitcom To the Manor Born. She also appeared in shows such as Anyone for Denis?, The New Statesman, Midsomer Murders, and Doc Martin.
Thorne was born in Karachi, Pakistan, in 1939. Her father was a diplomat and she spent her childhood in various countries. She trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and began her career on stage. She made her TV debut in 1964 in The Indian Tales of Rudyard Kipling.
She became famous for her role as Marjory Frobisher, the eccentric friend of Audrey fforbes-Hamilton (Penelope Keith) in To the Manor Born. The sitcom ran from 1979 to 1981 and attracted millions of viewers. Thorne reprised her role in a 2007 Christmas special.
Thorne also played Margaret Thatcher in the satirical comedy Anyone for Denis? (1982), based on the writings of John Wells. She later played Sarah B'Stard, the wife of the scheming politician Alan B'Stard (Rik Mayall) in The New Statesman (1987-1992). She also had roles in shows such as The Goodies, Rumpole of the Bailey, Agatha Christie's Poirot, Midsomer Murders, and Doc Martin.
Thorne died of natural causes at her home in Somerset, England, on January 20, 2023. She was 84 years old. She is survived by her husband Peter Penry-Jones, a retired actor and director, and their two children Laurence and Rupert, both actors.
"She was a wonderful actress and a lovely person," said Penelope Keith, who remained friends with Thorne after To the Manor Born. "She had a great sense of humour and a warm heart."
"She was a joy to work with and a delight to watch," said Rik Mayall, who co-starred with Thorne in The New Statesman. "She was brilliant at comedy and drama."
"She was a very kind and generous lady," said Martin Clunes, who worked with Thorne on Doc Martin. "She always had a smile and a story to tell."
Linda Lewis: The Singer with the High-Pitched Voice
Linda Lewis was a singer, songwriter, and guitarist best known for her hit singles “Rock-a-Doodle-Doo” and “It's in His Kiss.” She also sang backup vocals for artists such as David Bowie, Cat Stevens, Rod Stewart, and Al Kooper.
Lewis was born in West Ham, London, in 1950. She was of mixed race heritage, with African, Irish, Welsh, and Italian ancestry. She began singing at an early age and joined a band called the Ferris Wheel when she was 15. She also appeared in musicals such as Hair and Catch My Soul.
She launched her solo career in 1971 with the album Say No More. She had her first hit single with “Rock-a-Doodle-Doo” in 1973, which reached No. 15 on the UK charts. She followed it with another hit, “It's in His Kiss,” a cover of the Betty Everett song, which reached No. 6 in 1975. She also released albums such as Fathoms Deep (1973), Not a Little Girl Anymore (1975), Lark (1976), and Woman Overboard (1977).
Lewis was known for her distinctive high-pitched voice, which could span four octaves. She was influenced by soul, folk, rock, pop, and jazz music. She also sang backup vocals for many famous artists, such as David Bowie on his albums Aladdin Sane (1973) and Diamond Dogs (1974), Cat Stevens on his album Catch Bull at Four (1972), Rod Stewart on his album Never a Dull Moment (1972), and Al Kooper on his album Naked Songs (1973).
Lewis continued to record and perform throughout the 1980s and 1990s, releasing albums such as A Tear and a Smile (1983), Second Nature (1995), and Whatever... (1997). She also collaborated with artists such as Jamiroquai, Basement Jaxx, Gorillaz, and Turin Brakes.
Lewis died of cancer at her home in London on February 14, 2023. She was 73 years old. She is survived by her daughter Debi Doss, who is also a singer.
She was a phenomenal singer and a lovely person," said David Bowie, who considered Lewis one of his favourite vocalists. "She had an amazing range and a unique style."
"She was a trailblazer and an inspiration," said Jamiroquai's Jay Kay, who worked with Lewis on his album Travelling Without Moving (1996). "She had a voice like no other."
"She was a joy to listen to and to work with," said Basement Jaxx's Felix Buxton, who featured Lewis on his song "Lights Go Down" (2006). "She had a soulful spirit and a positive energy."
Meg Johnson: The Soap Opera Star
Meg Johnson was an actress who starred in “Coronation Street,” “Brookside,” and “Emmerdale.” She also appeared in shows such as “The Bill,” “Doctors,” and “Holby City.”
Johnson was born in Birmingham, England, in 1936. She trained at the Birmingham Theatre School and began her career on stage. She made her TV debut in 1968 in Z Cars.
She became famous for her role as Eunice Gee, the wife of pub landlord Fred Gee, in Coronation Street. She played the character from 1976 to 1983, and again in 1988. She was known for her feisty and funny personality and her clashes with Fred and other characters.
She also played Brigid McKenna, the mother of Jimmy Corkhill, in Brookside from 1991 to 1995. She later joined Emmerdale as Pearl Ladderbanks, the mother of Len Reynolds, from 2003 to 2010. She was nominated for several awards for her performance, including a British Soap Award for Best Comedy Performance in 2005.
Johnson also had roles in shows such as The Bill, Doctors, Holby City, Heartbeat, and Casualty. She also appeared in films such as Brassed Off (1996) and Little Voice (1998).
Johnson died of a stroke at a hospital in Leeds, England, on March 26, 2023. She was 87 years old. She is survived by her son Danny Johnson, who is also an actor.
"She was a wonderful actress and a lovely lady," said William Roache, who played Ken Barlow in Coronation Street. "She was always fun to work with and brought a lot of humour to the show."
"She was a legend and a friend," said Dean Sullivan, who played Jimmy Corkhill in Brookside. "She was a great actress and a great person."
"She was a joy to watch and to work with," said John Middleton, who played Ashley Thomas in Emmerdale. "She was a brilliant comedy actress and a warm-hearted woman."
Conclusion: Farewell to the British Female Celebrities Who Died in 2023
In this article, we have paid tribute to some of the British female celebrities who died in 2023. They were all talented and accomplished women who made their mark on the world of arts, culture, and politics. They entertained us, inspired us, and challenged us with their performances and their actions. They will be remembered and missed by their fans and the public.
We express our condolences and respect for the female celebrities who died in 2023. We thank them for their contributions and their legacy. We hope that their works will continue to be enjoyed and appreciated by future generations.
If you are a fan of any of these female celebrities, or if you want to learn more about them, we encourage you to watch their shows, listen to their songs, read their books, or support their causes. You can also share your memories or thoughts about them in the comments section below.
