[2][3] She is also notable for being an original cast member of Coronation Street, in which she played Susan Cunningham, the first on-screen love interest of Ken Barlow.
Shakesby played Ken Barlow's (William Roache) middle class girlfriend, Susan Cunningham, for 12 episodes.
[4] In 1972, Shakesby appeared alongside Anthony Hopkins in the television series War and Peace, playing Vera Rostova.
Her other television credits include Hancock's Half Hour, Dixon of Dock Green, Z-Cars, The Borderers, On the Buses, The Liver Birds, The Likely Lads, Sapphire & Steel, Casting the Runes and Yes Minister.
[1][5] On stage, Shakesby has appeared with Ronnie Barker in a 1970s production of The Real Inspector Hound and several plays for the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon and London.