FAREWELL TO A LEGEND: CORONATION STREET ACTRESS SHEILA BERNETTE PASSES AWAY AT 94
Coronation Street star Sheila Bernette has died at the age of 94. The actor’s death was announced by the Royal Variety Charity, an organisation caring for elderly people who have worked in the entertainment industry.
“Sheila will be very much missed by many of those who worked with her and those from the wider theatrical family,” the statement reads.
Born to Italian parents in London, Bernette’s real name was Sheila Poncini and her acting career started in the mid-1950s.
The star favoured comedic roles and worked with Only Fools and Horses star David Jason as well as comedians Morecambe and Wise, Dick Emery, Leslie Crowther and Tommy Cooper.
Among her most beloved TV roles, Bernette starred on BBC variety show The Good Old Days between 1968 and 1983.
She then appeared on Corrie in 1973, portraying the role of Sister Delaney across six episodes.
Her character was part of the medical staff who helped Elsie Tanner, played by Pat Phoenix, after she was hit by a taxi on her way to see her son in London.
Sepia Times//Getty Images
A theatre actor and a regular player at Players’ Theatre in London’s Covent Garden, Bernette also starred in films, including 1960 period drama Sons and Lovers and musical comedy Three for All, released in 1975.
In her later years, Bernette featured in an episode of children’s TV series The Queen’s Nose and in CBBC’s sitcom Hotel Trubble, playing hotel guest Mrs Poshington from 2008 to 2011.
Her final film role was 2009’s Greece-set rom-com Driving Aphrodite, also starring Nia Vardalos.
Paying tribute to his “very good friend”, actor Peter Kosta recalled how they met while starring in a play with Only Fools and Horses‘ Jason.
“I was looking for digs, and Sheila said: ‘Well, if you’re clean, I have a spare room in my house’,” Kosta said
“She always supported me in everything that I wanted to do, and always came to see me in everything I did, whenever she could. I have extremely fond memories of her.”