Angela Crow | |
|---|---|
| Born | 13 December 1935 Wharfedale, Yorkshire, England |
| Died | 3 March 2022 (age 86) |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1956–2005 |
| Spouse | Michael Woods |
Angela Rosemary Crow (13 December 1935 – 3 March 2022) was an English television actress, best known for her appearance in the early days of British soap opera Coronation Street, as factory worker Doreen Lostock, between 1961 and 1963.[1]
Crow trained at RADA, and following her graduation in 1954, toured in companies appearing in provincial theatres, as well as the Edinburgh Festival.[2]
Crow's first television appearance was in Rheingold Theatre, in 1956.[citation needed] She also appeared in other television programmes such as Hancock's Half Hour, BBC Sunday Night Theatre and a 1960 adaption of the Charles Dickens novel, Barnaby Rudge.[3][4]
In 1960, Crow was cast as ditzy factory worker Doreen Lostock in the newly-commissioned ITV soap opera, Coronation Street.[3] Crow appeared for two years from 1961, but was absent for most of 1962 due to the Equity Actor's Strike. The character reappeared in June of that year, before departing for good in October. During her tenure, her character had a relationship with Billy Walker (Ken Farrington), son of popular long-standing character Annie (Doris Speed).
The character of Doreen had a particularly good friendship with fellow factory worker Sheila Birtles (Eileen Mayers). This friendship proved popular with the public, and served as a basis for the friendships of future young characters.
Forty-nine years later, Crow appeared in the 2012 documentary The Corrie Years to discuss her experience on the show.[5]
After leaving Coronation Street, Crow has appeared in various popular television shows. One of which was the Street spin-off, Pardon the Expression, in which Crow played shop assistant Miss Clapper.[6] Ironically, the character worked under Arthur Lowe's character Leonard Swindley, who had been the boss of Crow's character when she was on Coronation Street.
Other appearances include Dixon of Dock Green, Last of the Summer Wine, Love Thy Neighbour, Grange Hill and Heartbeat.[4]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1957 | Hancock's Half Hour | Housemaid | |
| 1958, 1959 | BBC Sunday Night Theatre | Doll Simmons Patricia Smith |
|
| 1960 | Barnaby Rudge | Betsy | 6 episodes |
| 1961–1963 | Coronation Street | Doreen Lostock | Regular role; 145 episodes |
| 1966 | Pardon the Expression | Miss Clapper | |
| 1971 | Dixon of Dock Green | June Green | |
| 1973, 1975, 1976 | Crown Court | Rachel Mackintosh Ethel Flynn Jane Page |
3 episodes 2 episodes 1 episode |
| 1975 | Last of the Summer Wine | Gloria | |
| 1974–1975 | Love Thy Neighbour | Sheila Garside | 2 episodes |
| 1988–1990 | Grange Hill | Mrs. Birtles | Recurring role; 8 episodes |
| 1988 | Jack the Ripper (miniseries) | TV-miniseries | Elizabeth Stride |
| 1995, 2002 | Heartbeat | Lily Conway Rose Protheroe | |
| 1996 | Casualty | Jean Chesham | |
| 2005 | The Royal | Mabel |