Olga Lowe

[2] Described by The Stage as "an actress of extraordinary versatility," her credits included EastEnders, Where Eagles Dare, Carry On Abroad, Steptoe and Son Ride Again and The Riddle of the Sands.

She worked in Brazil as part of Carmen Miranda's cabaret,[2] and in 1942 survived the torpedoing of her ocean liner, City of New York, by a German submarine whilst returning to South Africa.

[5] Lowe’s big break came in the original London production of the musical Pal Joey in 1954, in the small role of a reporter, performing the humorous song Zip.

[1] Later stage work included Kenneth Branagh's production of Uncle Vanya at the Lyric, Hammersmith in 1991, and as part of Peter Hall's company at the Old Vic in 1997.

[2] In 1976, she was performing opposite James in The Mating Season at the Sunderland Empire Theatre on the night he suffered a fatal heart attack on stage.